Suggestions for a new racket

Akhil P V Asked 11 months ago

Hey, I wanted advice on what TT bat I should get. I am a returning player who has competed in nationals about 7 years ago. The bat I had back then was a Jonyer H2 wood, shakehand grip with Yasaka Mark V black rubber and a Butterly XL red rubber. I still have the bat, but the rubber's bounces are dead. Could you help me please?

Alois Rosario Answered 10 months ago

Hi Akhil,

It's great that you're getting back into table tennis after a break and looking to upgrade your equipment. Since you've played at a high national level, you'll want a racket that can provide you with a good balance of control, spin, and speed, given your previous experience. Since you've previously used the Yasaka Mark V and Butterfly XL, if you were comfortable with those rubbers, you could certainly consider re-using them or their modern equivalents. The Yasaka Mark V is known for being a classic rubber that provides excellent control and decent spin and speed, which makes it a great choice for players who are looking to get back into the sport after a break and want to regain their feel and touch. However, technology and materials have come a long way in 7 years, and there are now many newer options available in the market. Here are some suggestions that you might find appropriate:

Since you previously used a Jonyer H2 wood blade, which probably offered you a good level of feel and control, look for an all-wood blade or a blade that has a small amount of carbon if you want to add a bit more speed without sacrificing too much control. Blades such as the Stiga Allround Classic, Butterfly Timo Boll ALC, or VIS Butterfly Viscaria offer a good range of control to offensive capabilities, depending on your preference.

Since you had the Butterfly XL, a similar modern rubber might be something like the Butterfly Rozena. It's a balanced rubber that offers good spin and speed without being too aggressive, making it a good transitional rubber for those coming back to the sport.