Illegal Rubbers at Iberoamerican Master — No Equipment Control?

[mathx91]

I recently played an ITTF-supported tournament in Peru and was surprised by how weak the equipment control was.

I noticed several players using rubbers with very large pores and unusual reactions, which didn’t seem compliant. This becomes even more concerning when it comes to long pips, where small differences in structure or sponge can have a big impact on spin and control.

The main issue: there were no proper tools to check thickness, sponge, or boosting—just very basic racket control.

At this level, that doesn’t feel right. It makes it hard to trust that everyone is playing under the same rules.

Has anyone else experienced this, especially with long pips?

 

[haggisv]

The cost of testing equipment and staff is usually simply too high to be practical at most tournaments.

I can't say I've ever seem 'incompliant sponge structures' as you describe, nor do I know if they can actually offer an advantage.

Extra thickness can be deceptive to judge visually, although if it's clearly over the limit it can easily be measured by a referee. This is cheap and easy to to do, and I agree with you that this should have been available.

The ITTF regulations are simply too complex to be checked at every tournament, so only the simple tests can be conducted at most tournaments.

 

[piligrim]

Where is Igor?

 

[golden_son]

Where is Igor?

I seriously thought this was Igor in AI-dressed disguise. But I looked back at OP's old posts and they're legit, probably using AI to translate. I guess Igor has a new best buddy, though 😂

In all seriousness, we all know ITTF is a joke, but what can any of us do about it? It's not like a boycott would even work, they get most of their money from China and rich investors. And no one's going to boycott over players with rubbers 0.1mm over some arbitrary limit anyway.

 

[pong99]

IgorGPT says - sponge porosity compliance can be verified with the oily booster detector followed by dry boosting with an ab roller

 

[igorponger]

HI, dear
Please be sure you got a "fair rubber" that is marked like this. Yes, for this present time, it is rather a rare poduct to obtain from a vendor. Yet we now looking to increase manufacturing facilities so much as to satisfy players' need to the full.
-----------------------
Fair play first

 

[Kenspin]

I recently played an ITTF-supported tournament in Peru and was surprised by how weak the equipment control was.

I noticed several players using rubbers with very large pores and unusual reactions, which didn’t seem compliant. This becomes even more concerning when it comes to long pips, where small differences in structure or sponge can have a big impact on spin and control.

The main issue: there were no proper tools to check thickness, sponge, or boosting—just very basic racket control.

At this level, that doesn’t feel right. It makes it hard to trust that everyone is playing under the same rules.

Has anyone else experienced this, especially with long pips?

I suppose you could challenge your opponent as to the legality and if you are convinced its illegal, call the referee. However, if no testing equipment is available that limits what's possible. Most of the tournaments in the UK I play in state in the rules that equipment testing may take place, but they don't have any available and all the players know that.

 

[Tyce]

If you meant "large pimples" and are referring to the use of cured pips, the best solution would be to carry one of those credit card sized measurement cards and take it up with a ref