jawein and Atlas Newton,
I can totally understand a sentiment that the rules may have a possibility of needing to be changed for whatever reasons we feel there is a need. If the arguments are presented in that light, there could be an easy discussion.
The ITTF bylaws have a very well documented procedure to accomplish this.
As for whether we need to change the rules to allow a player to replace a bat in the middle of a match by his choice and judgment for any reason they choose... THINK about [...]
What makes you think he is changing to a racket he isn't accustomed to? These are the kinds of assumptions that surprise me.[...]
Went away for Sunday evening and the topic went viral as far as I can tell.
Der_Echte and Next Level, I'm an EJ (recovering but still ... ) and there were many situations in my "career" when during a match I thought I needed to change the setup, usually for quite a different one, but because of the rule I did not - even though it would probably go unnoticed - sufficient to say, not a "proper" table tennis behavior. And I think the rule is ok.
Maybe Zhou is such an EJ himself and thought, in the middle of his match, he needed more power against Chuang. I'm not denying he might had a bit faster setup ... and he might actually be more effective with it. But once he have chosen it, he should stay with it. Please read my comment carefully this time, and please notice the word 'but' : )
"[...] ... to which I would subscribe but ... TT is a very technical sport, changing the racket affects the ball trajectory and it causes problems for the opponents. Besides, it is for sure Zhou's responsibility to choose the proper blade during the warm-up. He was hitting with it for probably an hour or so before the match ..."
In other words I can understand Atas Newton's arguments but I don't think they are correct all the way. Atas was speaking his mind and I can totally understand it. Besides if this racket changing, was really helpful it would have been much more common 'practice'. I think Zhou even changing the racket would loose anyway - but it would affect Chunag for sure ...
Atas's comment was understandable for me in a sense that, say Zhou was really lousy when choosing the blade during warm-up and it was really under-performing as compared to his usual one. But than again, it is his responsibility and it certainly affects the opponent, so ...