https://forum.tt-news.de/showpost.php?p=3835188&postcount=347
(09.12.2025, 14:12
KJB-207
At the "ITTF Mixed Team World Cup 2025," I saw for the first time how the unpredictable spin of the Glanti was a disadvantage for Sabine.
Against South Korea, despite two blocks with the Glanti, Sabine was often still hit hard because the spin reversal wasn't sufficient.
It's not always clear to non-Glanti players why the ball sometimes lands perfectly in the net and other times can be hit hard.
The spin reversal of the Glanti depends not only on the spin of the incoming ball but also on the Glanti player's technique.
For example, how early can they take the ball and how steady they hold the Glanti. The later the Glanti player takes the ball or makes a defensive movement (like with pimples, for example), the less spin the reversal will occur.
This is also clearly visible when Glanti players have to play the Glanti on their forehand. They instinctively make a defensive movement, and the ball loses spin. The opponent often takes advantage of them because of different expectations
.)
https://forum.tt-news.de/showpost.php?p=3835957&postcount=366
(12.12.2025, 12:43
Matz0r
Perhaps I didn't express myself clearly.
Quite the opposite, I'm incredibly happy for Winter and her success after switching. She's playing phenomenally, and the fact that she's developed her own unique stroke just shows how much she's enjoying the change and how dedicated she is. Such an achievement after roughly 20 years of playing "regular" table tennis is truly remarkable. The fact that she can now execute her game so incredibly well after such a short time demonstrates her ambition, determination, and talent.
My point was more that other national teams, like the German Table Tennis Association (DTTB), probably either weren't aware of Winter's switch or even ridiculed it. But now that she's shown everyone what she's capable of, everyone will be much better prepared when they face her. It takes away some of the element of surprise.
And I don't think Winter can invent much that's new with the anti-spin rubber . Of course, I'd be thrilled if she suddenly started playing with it, I don't know.
However, I believe the best step would be for her to focus more on applying pressure with her backhand using the grippy rubber. Nevertheless, the transition hasn't just been successful, it's been fantastic and has brought a new lease on life to Winter. And I find her matches very enjoyable to watch! I'm excited to see how her journey continues.)
https://forum.tt-news.de/showpost.php?p=3835969&postcount=368
(12.12.2025, 13:14
Flachschupfer
It's not as if Sabine Winter hadn't shown any development on the backhand before. At one tournament, I was almost shocked when I saw her hit a banana shot – or something similar, definitely a clearly offensive and aggressive stroke.
But we know the result of all these efforts: it might be too harsh a judgment, but ultimately we saw stagnation. She'd move forward a bit, then back again; sometimes she'd closed the gap to the national team, then fall back again. Nina essentially overtook her during that time, Annett also came along, and Petrissa was still around too. In that whole spectacle, she was playing fourth fiddle at best, more like fifth or sixth.
Even if the element of surprise diminishes, those nasty shots will remain nasty. Her playing style will continue to cause stress, and simply always playing short forehand shots doesn't always work out for fear of getting slapped by Sabine, even though she certainly has the legs for it. In short, it's unlikely she'll fall below the level she'd already reached with the standard right back.
Of course, because the air gets thinner at the top, she won't be cruising through the world's elite like a hot knife through butter anymore, and she's already passed the age of 30 – which I still consider a magical barrier for professional athletes (even if that's not really the case anymore).
Therefore, a "soon" decline won't necessarily be due to the system, but perhaps also to age. And she won't always beat Bernadette, reach a deciding throw every time against Wang Yidi, and occasionally someone will simply laugh at her anti-back. But by then, hopefully, she'll be even more consistent and confident in her anticipation, then she'll use the right side at the right moment – and in my opinion, inevitably solidify her success. And then it will be two steps forward and two steps back again, but at a completely different level.)
p.s. Added date and time to the respective posts.
