Table Tennis has turned into an expensive commercialised crap

mart1nandersson said:

+1

Just bring out a 38mm ball and play with it for a few minutes then switch to a 40+ ball and it feels like slow motion. The 38mm ball comes at you like a rocket. This is especially noticeable when you're playing someone who's a few levels better than you. Your chances of keeping up goes down dramatically with the old ball.

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purpletiesto said:

Surely Federer is using equipment that is available to consumers. DHS has released press many times saying they do not sell the blue sponge rubbers to the public.
What is the point of the no booster rule of it isn't enforced? And what is the point of the no booster rule, if it can come boosted from the factory but you can't boost it yourself. So every Chinese pro just gets their desired chemicals applied by dhs before shipping to them, which I'm sure they can do so they effectively aren't breaking any rules.
It'd be a level playing field between pros of everyone had access to the same equipment, or at least let it be known that secret rubbers, chemicals and equipment are allowed.
What's the point of having rules with loopholes and no enforcement? Stupid organisation.

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usualsuspect said:

I think our discussion might be missing the point a little bit. I don't think ML's blue sponge H3 is objectively better than regular T05. It just suits ML's play style better. ML's H3 isn't a mystical rubber that will make every player better.
We can buy H3 national blue sponge, boost it some more, and it should turn out fairly similar to ML's H3 in terms of speed & spin. Other pro players can do this too. I wonder if they will be able to beat ML then.

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RidTheKid said:

They will not beat him anyway since the rubber is personalized, he used 42 degree hardness for instance. The equipment should match ones playing style, not vice versa.

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usualsuspect said:

I think our discussion might be missing the point a little bit. I don't think ML's blue sponge H3 is objectively better than regular T05. It just suits ML's play style better. ML's H3 isn't a mystical rubber that will make every player better.
We can buy H3 national blue sponge, boost it some more, and it should turn out fairly similar to ML's H3 in terms of speed & spin. Other pro players can do this too. I wonder if they will be able to beat ML then.

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purpletiesto said:

Don't get me wrong, I have no doubt in my mind that ML is the best and no one could beat him regardless of equipment. I think you missed my point actually. I'm saying that the current state of 'rules' regarding boosting and legal equipment are a joke. Exist but not enforced.
And surely you don't really believe you can buy the same rubber that ML uses. Surely you aren't that ignorant.
What you're saying is the exact issue. Buy a rubber and boost it even more... So buy a rubber and cheat. Players with that mindset perpetuate the problem.

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yoass said:

Hey @usualsuspect, I had a custom blade made after my own design. I selected the composition, the materials, the thicknesses, the layer orientations, the way the layers of wood and composites were put together, and most importantly the shape, size of the handle — and the blade balance, by weight of the handle.

It's a great blade. It is my blade. There are others that might be like it, but this one is mine. My blade is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.

That being said, am I, in your eyes, creating an unfair advantage by using my own custom blade? I honestly don't think I am. I do realise a blade like mine is not for everybody, even though relatively modest in price; there are many still that barely manage to subsist, and I'm fully aware of and grateful for the privilege of being able to dedicate surplus to resources above and beyond subsistence, for leisurely activities. It's an awareness that makes me consider frugality a virtue — that, and we only have the one world to burn. So, what do you think? Extravagant decadence creating an unlevel playing field?

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