Table Tennis at this level is an extreme precision game. The blade contains mostly natural wood by requirement therefore cannot be identical as if synthetically made. They do have backup paddles. But the feel is different to these pro players. It takes time to adapt. Against inferior players, it won't be a significant difference. But against a competitive player, the physical and psychological difference can be.
I am a 78 years old Thai. I play golf since I was 35. Ask any golfer, be he professional like Tiger Woods (I mention him because he is half Thai and half black American, and perhaps the most well known golfer in our generation), no one will compete in any golf tournament, be it amateur or professional, by using substitute golf clubs, let alone a precision game like table tennis.
If the backup table tennis rackets had been identical to the original one, Wang Shuqin wouldn't have cried, and the coach wouldn't have been sorry to show the broken racket; he would have simply left it in the bag.
Table tennis is a precision-demanding sport that requires meticulous adjustments. The smallest change can disrupt the balance, and although backup rackets are identical, they may still exhibit subtle differences.
In tennis you just play the racquet ang have the same feels in other racquets that you have, in table tennis its totally different the carbon type of the blade and the rubber is not the same, the blade or paddle is the only racquet that a table tennis player has they only change the rubber from time to time.
Table tennis rackets are extremely unique even the same blade does not feel the same, even the rubber of the same make and brand can come with different quality, and unlike a baseball bat where you have to play with a lot of feeling and small touches and rely on the friction between the rubber and ball. It is not so easily replaced table tennis players do have back ups but the primary is the one that feels the best the backup is just the one you could get to feel as similar as possible
This should be VERY good reminding information. South Korean player pen holder, which French player embraced and followed, actually beat Chinese player and won gold medal in 2020 Syndney Olympic! Get that fact! That model is still alive well as Germany's Dong and Franch LeBron both followed S Korean player that dominant forehand, fan holder grip are, and adjusted to do back hand more effectively to offset European holding grip.
Felix also plays a reverse penhold backhand which makes him even more unusual. As far as I know the only other top player who uses the reverse backhand is Xu Xin who has just retired.
Those two are not professional table tennis players, don't have experience and knowledge about paddles, then talked about the topic in an unprofessional and stupid tone without the consideration and understanding of the player.
These two are idiots, they should just speak about this they know. This guy is the #1 player in the world he probably plays with just one paddle(lucky) that’s brought him to number one. It’s not like tennis wear they have a handful of requests that they can destroy and get a new one. They are expected to use the same one throughout the tournament. It is sad. I dont think the photographer felt that bad about it. He must fell like these guys. He did his best, but if he had his original paddle, i dont think he would have lost.
Mitch doesn't seem to know what he's talking about when he claims a top player should be able to use any paddle or backup paddle to win...wrong! The paddle that you use frequently is like an extension of your hand and it's indispensable at top flight competition. Players even need a period of adjustment after changing the rubber on their own paddle.
Funny not mentioning Calderano Brazilian playing for the first time a semi final in table tennis. You keep mentioning Felix and not a single word about a guy that is from the Americas.
