Do Professional players apply their rubbers?

[Barnsite]

I'm interested to know whether pro players apply their own rubbers, or do they have people who do it from them, like stringers, for tennis, badminton, etc?

 

[cytivrat]

I'm interested to know whether pro players apply their own rubbers, or do they have people who do it from them, like stringers, for tennis, badminton, etc?

There videos on youtube where Timo Boll, Dima Ovtcharov, Anders Lind show how they assemble their racket. So yes, at least some professionals do it by themselves.

 

[M51]

There's also a video of Xu Xin doing it.

 

[Barnsite]

I find that quite surprising (not saying you're wrong) as I know a number of international racket sports players (admittedly all stringed rackets) and all of them have stringers. What do you think is the difference?

 

[dingyibvs]

I find that quite surprising (not saying you're wrong) as I know a number of international racket sports players (admittedly all stringed rackets) and all of them have stringers. What do you think is the difference?

Probably because TT pros change their rubbers so often. CNT members change their rubbers once every week or so in training and once every day or two during competition, for example.

 

[Barnsite]

If you look at pro tennis players, they will take newly strung rackets pretty much to every match (depending on their level), I would assume the same for pro table tennis players? Or do they use the same rubbers for a whole tournament?

 

[Barnsite]

Most female players keep hands away from gluing job. Coach or boyfriend is the helper.

seriously?

 

[Robin0910]

seriously?

Nah, don’t take Igor seriously

 

[Robin0910]

almost every pro glues their rubbers since it’s quite easy and they get all the stuff for free since they’re sponsored

 

[NDH]

As

I find that quite surprising (not saying you're wrong) as I know a number of international racket sports players (admittedly all stringed rackets) and all of them have stringers. What do you think is the difference?

Just a guess, but stringing a racket needs a much bigger (not portable) machine.

Table tennis bats can be made up very easily, with little equipment.

Also…. Typically, stringed racket sports will have more money in the sport, so you end up with dedicated jobs like stringing a racket.

TT pros won’t be able to pay someone to come along and glue their bats! 😅

 

[Barnsite]

Thanks for replies, for sure restringing a tennis racket needs way more equipment and expertise (I've glued my own TT rubbers for ever... but never restrung my tennis racket).

It was literally something that occurred to me while watching the Olympics, do they have a person preparing their bats...

Seems not!

 

[pingpongpaddy]

Thanks for replies, for sure restringing a tennis racket needs way more equipment and expertise (I've glued my own TT rubbers for ever... but never restrung my tennis racket).

It was literally something that occurred to me while watching the Olympics, do they have a person preparing their bats...

Seems not!

Bear in mind that the player is responsible for the legality of their equipment. It would be crazy not to do it yourself.

 

[lodro]

Or do they use the same rubbers for a whole tournament?

I have rather vague memories of the rules but I think at the beginning of a tournament 2 rackets are submitted for inspection, measuring and are then stamped and often sealed in a big envelope. Unless there is damage to the blade and /or rubbers the racket nominated as the #1 will be the racket the player is using during the whole tournament

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

not sure about others, for me, the gluing process is pleasurable, and has a calming effect on me. Like some sort of pre-game ritual / meditation.

 

[lodro]

for me, the gluing process is pleasurable, and has a calming effect on me.

You are not supposed to sniff the glue 🤣

 

[Lazer]

You are not supposed to sniff the glue 🤣

Sorry, but that was a looong time ago, these days you can sniff and dream all you want…. 😉

Have a beer instead…

Cheers
L-zr

 

[SFF_lib]

On Chinese media I read that CNT players glued everything themselves BUT, other people applied the lengthy boosting process. So FZD will go to a tournament with 5 pre-boosted H3 at 42 degree.

 

[Barnsite]

Bear in mind that the player is responsible for the legality of their equipment. It would be crazy not to do it yourself.

I'm not sure this would contribute to the decision, pro athletes have people who do all kinds of things for them, most "risky" is diet and the possibility of illegal "substances", which can range from medications to common additives in certain foods. The reason they get other people to organise this is because they are professional at understanding all the rules around what is acceptable, and what is not, taking this concern away from the athlete.

 

[pingpongpaddy]

I'm not sure this would contribute to the decision, pro athletes have people who do all kinds of things for them, most "risky" is diet and the possibility of illegal "substances", which can range from medications to common additives in certain foods. The reason they get other people to organise this is because they are professional at understanding all the rules around what is acceptable, and what is not, taking this concern away from the athlete.

You may not be sure, but any tournament player at any level would find it ridiculous to to leave this to someone else. Remember players grow up with their blades and rubbers, many of them preferring difference in layers of glue and how the rubber is cut (which effects the balance).
You would also benefit from reading about how the protocols for testing legality are carried out. Its a serious business for the pros

 

[Barnsite]

You may not be sure, but any tournament player at any level would find it ridiculous to to leave this to someone else. Remember players grow up with their blades and rubbers, many of them preferring difference in layers of glue and how the rubber is cut (which effects the balance).
You would also benefit from reading about how the protocols for testing legality are carried out. Its a serious business for the pros

I understand 100% around the intricacies of how a rubber is applied, etc. However, with all due respect, there are legalities around many aspects of professional sport that athletes rely on and this is actually one of the reasons they employ professionals to ensure they meet these standards. There are illegal racket strings, frames and stringing techniques in tennis, this is one of the reasons pro tennis players have stringers, so they don't need to worry about this and can just play tennis.