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Ahah, Jedi mind tricks. ;) I couldn't do that with mine because my rubbers do feel slightly different, but that is due to individual variations in manufacturing (most likely sponge thickness, I can't see any difference in topsheet behaviour). The few times I picked up my bat and started playing...

You're right, I know two players who use regular Aurus and keep them all year long, balls feel extremely heavy even on five-ply and would outpower a fair chunk of people here, I am pretty sure. Mean spin, too; that's on max sponge.

First things first, you can try the Mark Vs you've bought on the VK, and see how that goes. Otherwise yes, most 5-ply all+/off- blades on the market would do nicely and Sweden Extra is a popular choice (with good reason). Donic Appelgren has a very good feeling too, a tad softer than the Extra...

Well, they do sell all other products EU-wide (see "shipping and returns"). Interesting that you still buy from Japan, though. Do you mind me asking, from which website and do you have to pay any tax duty at reception? Also, the only reason I mentioned salaries is because I can't think of any...

Hi yogi, I guess that is fair but I am still surprised at how different the prices are. Oh, well.

Ahah. Casually dropping bombs... I had a look at the website you posted a link to, and it'd almost turn me off buying Xiom products. You'd think every Western-European looks like the guy in zeio's caption in their eyes, with Omega VII listed at 57.90€ RRP (36.81€ on tennisdiscount.eu), Vega...

It is not technically glass fibre, but I have a Donic Epox PowerAllround that was given to me about a year ago (with soft rubbers on it, I think they are Desto F3 but would need to check) and I think it comes close. A guy who plays in lower leagues around here just gave it to my brother for...

Oh, man. I can't wait for the new blades for the 20+ net, new rubbers for the 20+ net, new tables for the 20+ net, new shoes for the 20+net... new balls for the 20+ net...

Marketing. Butterfly is in a difficult position here (also quite enviable, I'll admit) where ten years into it, their technology is still the world standard. Do you wake up one day and tell people "right, this thing is past it now", we're moving in a totally different direction with [laser...

Get on board Lightzy, let's go fix that rubber!

Something similar happened in Doha, after he had an incredible run (beat Boll, Harimoto and LGY pretty comprehensively) while looking absolutely untouchable (those backhands against HT!!! - the sound of the balls crunching on the table still comes to mind everytime I read his name) and the...

Whoah!!! I was really close to posting a comment when Harimoto said "I can't wait to face FZD in the semi-final" and thought... no. It can't happen! Greatest respect towards ZhenDong, but still. Wow, and congrats Hugo.

And you haven't seen anything yet! General advice is, whatever you choose, try and stick with it. If you feel you "lack speed" or anything else, don't buy new stuff but correct your stroke or body movement, and so on. Honestly, you could beat 90+% of club players with your blade and any...

Ah! Maybe you have a point (at least, it's defensible), although to be fair it is not just about the ball hurting or not. A good old bruise when playing football can't hurt nearly as much as repeated mental humiliation (I know you'll say this wasn't it, and I am honestly on the fence with this...

Andy don't conceal the truth, we know you're in your own league! (Sorry, best of luck to all and looking forward to the reviews.)

Okay. I don't think we disagree, on the whole ("innately more brilliant" bothers me a bit, but I agree predispositions are a thing - as in, "potential to be uncovered"; have you heard of epigenetics?). It has long been known that different methods will work better or worse with different...

Fair enough. Still, at some point, the will has to come from within. Giving kids a push, yes, by all means, but if many years into it the only driving force is external pressure, there'll always be a lack of creativity and that "extra" factor. Take Ma long, Timo Boll, Xu Xin, Vladimir...

Yes the Polgars are a good example, as are many others. Speaking honestly, I wish I had received a tenth of that attention from my own father and may have found more sense of achievement in some things down the line, hence the first part of my answer. But is there no way to do that without the...

Thanks Jesper, who knew there were games to talk about... There's a debate to be had, but it does not matter who is right if you cannot do it without cheap jibes, adding a few gallons worth of oil onto the fire drop by drop, wilfully choosing what you respond to and drag the whole thing on...

Yes, I was a little torn between admiring the dedication (he must have thought it was "for your own good", and of course Mori didn't do half bad) and thinking I'd kick him in the balls, if I was his son. Who realised, ten years into the game, that it could actually be enjoyed... At some point...