I don't really see any point in bringing nationalism into TT. I did not mean to offend at all, and would never imply that a country's ability to make TT rubbers reflects on the true value of the nation: their people, culture etc. Besides, regarding TT, a believe the blade is far more influential in developing a player and their style in TT. Xiom for example, makes very high quality blades. But even so, are they made in Korea? It would not surprise me either way as i am not entirely sure. This does not shine unfavourably on the nation if they do not produce their own blades! Companies are and should be made up of diversity, and diversity is imperative to TT advancement. The Vega series is extremely good and produced in Germany. Stiga produces rubbers made in china and Germany. Even dhs and palio, with their own factories in China produce rubbers from ESN. Most European pros use tenergy for rubbers, regardless of where they are from! They want the best for them. I'm English, so we respectfully produce nothing! And we supposedly invented the sport. Most English players are devoted to butterfly, stiga and/or Donic. The point being that you should find and use the gear that suits you most and make the most out of your local and national TT community! The latter (community) being far more important. I am frankly jealous of the rich TT culture Korea has, and am not at all shocked that, like so many other great TT nations, sk has failed to tap into the rubber market. It is rather monopolised, with butterfly ruling with high price but high reward. I have started coaching, and desperately want to advance the superiority of Chinese tacky rubbers, simply because at higher levels, they seem indisputably better. And players that use them at the start seem to develop their skills faster in the long run. I am coaching kids, and want to see the ones serious and passionate about TT, progress to their maximum potential. That a top SK player uses dhs national is extremely good news to me, showing that dhs is not afraid to produce their highest grade rubbers for players outside of CNT. Equipment should definitely be universal, and players should absolutely be rewarded for their hard work! Again, not meant to offend, i am actually rather a fan boy of Asian TT: it's philosophy, technique, products, coaches and players.
