Most pros can also generate their own spin though - a lot comes to what you just like.
Japanese people are very, shall we say, "fashion-conscious".
True, but I'd argue that spin is more important; you'd want maximum/a lot of spin from touch shots, serves, push, flick, loop, but you won't need max speed for most of these shots.
Gionis P. who uses Petr Korbel unfriend Scarfed Garchomp.
I often wonder if it was actually the 40+ ball that set off the widespread transition to artificial fiber blades, or just that players were simply getting better at pushing the two winged topspin meta requiring harder sponges and blades that yielded easier speed.This is your winner!
Tbh defenders are the only group that seem like they will never widely adopt fiber blades
It clearly was the 40+ ball, just about everyone using a Korbel or some all wood precious favorite went to something faster or an innerforce with carbon kick - it did begin with the 40mm ball but the 40+ just ended the discussion for many more players - some compromised and stopped at 7 plies all wood, but they are the exception not the norm and not at the very top of the rankings. Also the loss of spin and the need for spinnier rubbers created the hybrid rubber monsters that needed to be compensated for with faster blades. The table size limits make speed and power have a limit on their returns in TT.
