Seeking Advice on Equipment Upgrade

[kadenais]

Hi, I have been playing with Friendship 729 FX on my backhand and Yinhe Mercury 2 on my forehand for about six months. On my backhand, I like cutting the ball, blocking spins, and smashing if I have the chance. I get closer to the table when I am going to cut the ball. On my forehand, I am satisfied when I spin the ball correctly or when I smash, but I have to say my control on my forehand is not as good as it is on my backhand. The 729 FX is good for cutting, but it doesn't have the power I want. I should also say that the Mercury 2 is not spinny enough. I want something that allows me to cut the ball, spin, and shoot. It should not be focused on totally aggressive or defensive gameplay. I want something like Off- if this is the correct way of describing it. One of my friends suggested two Xiom Vega Intros on a Xiom Diva blade. What do u think about this combo? Is there anything you could suggest to me? I would like to hear any opinions from experienced players. Thanks.

 

[Brozi]

I know this is probably not what you want to hear, but if Mercury 2 is not spinny enough, this sounds like a technique issue. Although its not a high end rubber, you should be able to win points through spin without any trouble, especially with the blade you've got. The Vega Intro rubbers will certainly be faster (easier to get power), but in turn they'll offer less control on passive strokes for example. Your blade is plenty good, so regardless of whether you switch or not, I'd stay with it.

 

[kadenais]

I see, that is why I get satisfied when I correctly spin then. I should improve myself on spinning technique. Thanks for your opinion. But what about 729 fx? If it is not powerful as I want does that also mean there is something wrong with my technique? Should I keep playing with my current racket? When should I consider buying a new one?

 

[Brozi]

The 729fx might in fact be a bit too soft, but still, you should be able to get good power with correct technique out of this rubber. I'd say, change the backhand to vega intro, and stay with the mercury on the forehand, as its much easier to get power on the FH than BH. But overall, the most important factor is coaching, so ideally you should invest in a good coach instead of good equipment

 

[mocker88]

Like Brozi mentioned above. Go with the Mercury II on forehand and practice your technique, looping with full arm swing. Really practice your foot work so you get it all right. Vega Intro might be good. I haven't tried it. Otherwise check out softer rubbers like 729 - Focus III Snipe 42deg or 729 - Aurora Max Soft. These are untacky and a bit easier to play with on backhand.

 

[kadenais]

What do u think about a second mercury 2? It is way cheaper than vega intro and as it seems you think it is a very good rubber. The problem with mercury 2 was that I thought it is not spinny enough but as you mentioned my technique is wrong. I can't compare it with other rubbers because I don't know about them. Would it be good if I go with mercury 2 on both sides?

 

[banbekas]

729 Super FX Blue Sponge is your answer for FH.
Moon Pro Hard for your BH.

I think these two rubbers are good enough.

 

[mocker88]

I would say that Moon Pro Hard is quite hard to handle for a backhand rubber when you haven't played that long. Mercury 2 is a bit more lively rubber than Super FX to me, and I can generate more spin with the Mercury 2, but everyone's different. Like I wrote above. Check out 729 - Focus III Snipe 42deg or 729 - Aurora Max Soft for backhand Focus III is a little bit softer and Aurora Max a bit faster, but these are really controllable untacky rubbers, and linear. That's good for learning the technique as well