Fan Zhendong is joining 1. FC Saarbrücken next season

[doppelmoral]

Yeah, he could just be playing with 2 D09c. All pro attackers boost though, so that's probably not going away.

if thats the case he could still just use black d09c on FH

 

[dingyibvs]

if thats the case he could still just use black d09c on FH

Yes, he could, but it doesn't really matter if he's using it on both sides.

 

[MarekD]

Yes, he could, but it doesn't really matter if he's using it on both sides.

Does anyone know what FZD's match record is in his first European engagement? I've seen him lose quite often, so I'm interested.

 

[Tornado2016]

Does anyone know what FZD's match record is in his first European engagement? I've seen him lose quite often, so I'm interested.

German league: 5 wins, 3 losses
German cup: 1 win
He did not play Champions League yet.

 

[NakiMaki]

Heres my hypothesis for this. When he was playing in Macau recently he def played with hurricane on the forehand.
In the beginning of the german season he experienced some difficulties and losing to players he def shouldn't lose to. It might have been because hes adjusting or something like that. But i think it might have something to do with the temperature, in german its much colder which makes the rubber significantly harder. When he plays in china where the temperature usually is higher the hard rubbers are easier to hit through and thats also what he is used to. He have played for Shanghai where its substantially hotter also during the winter. And playing in Macau is also a lot warmer than in Saarbrucken.

I get that the temperature of the venue probably is regulated, it will still be different.

I have experinced something similar where the H3N is a lot harder to play through in colder venues in the winter compared to the very hot venues in the summer.

 

[chinacurious]

Heres my hypothesis for this. When he was playing in Macau recently he def played with hurricane on the forehand.
In the beginning of the german season he experienced some difficulties and losing to players he def shouldn't lose to. It might have been because hes adjusting or something like that. But i think it might have something to do with the temperature, in german its much colder which makes the rubber significantly harder. When he plays in china where the temperature usually is higher the hard rubbers are easier to hit through and thats also what he is used to. He have played for Shanghai where its substantially hotter also during the winter. And playing in Macau is also a lot warmer than in Saarbrucken.

I get that the temperature of the venue probably is regulated, it will still be different.

I have experinced something similar where the H3N is a lot harder to play through in colder venues in the winter compared to the very hot venues in the summer.

If that was the case, why would he play H3 on backhand? Maybe he's obligated by contract with DHS to use it on one side?

 

[chandyrandy]

If that was the case, why would he play H3 on backhand? Maybe he's obligated by contract with DHS to use it on one side?

I reckon he's using d09c on forehand for the fun and challenge of it and is keeping hurricane due to contractual obligations like you're suggesting

 

[NakiMaki]

If that was the case, why would he play H3 on backhand? Maybe he's obligated by contract with DHS to use it on one side?

Most likely didn't pack a black D09C.

 

[chinacurious]

Most likely didn't pack a black D09C.

It wasn't the first time he played red 09c on forehand. He had time to prepare. I doubt FZD has trouble getting any rubber he wants quickly.

 

[Peter93]

Looks like he just turned the racket around.

 

[backspacer]

Looks like he just turned the racket around.

Patrick Franziska flips sometimes based on feeling. FZD probably did too.

 

[NextLevel]

Looks like he just turned the racket around.

That's an interesting picture - you could convince me he was using yellow sponge Hurricane with that quality of picture....

 

[golden_son]

Looks like he just turned the racket around.

That sponge looks mighty thick, thicker than the Hurricane that is almost certainly boosted...could he be trying Zyre?!

 

[chinacurious]

That sponge looks mighty thick, thicker than the Hurricane that is almost certainly boosted...could he be trying Zyre?!

I think there were pictures that clearly showed it was 09c.

 

[NextLevel]

That sponge looks mighty thick, thicker than the Hurricane that is almost certainly boosted...could he be trying Zyre?!

Someone asked me on another thread (I believe it was @Airoc how thick a sponge i want given the limits. I know even with thr current topsheets, some pros get as much as 2.5mm. It's quire possible that players get a bit more sponge if they have the clout. I know this is true for Gewo but I cannot speak for Butterfly or other brands.

 

[JackJohnson]

FZD is clearly using red rubber I’m assuming it’s D09c for the forehand. H3 Blue Sponge 42 degree must be really hard to use on the BH unless he using a more softer H3 Blue Sponge 39 instead.

 

[TTLOVE]

The fact that an elite player is able to change both rubbers and still remain competitive against other elite players should tell us mere mortals something about the importance of equipment.

 

[dingyibvs]

I do think that he just flipped his racket around now too. Besides holding his racket backwards, in the match against Jha he also flipped his racket around when smashing then quickly flipped it again after presumably realizing that he's already using the D09c side on the FH.

 

[chinacurious]

He didn't just flip the racket. The edge tape would be on the other side if he did.

 

[NextLevel]

He did it again vs Duesseldorf. That said these were all home matches on Tibhar tables. Will be interesting to see what happens on the road when the ball and the table change.