RebornTTEvnglist wrote:
Personally, I appreciate Adham coming here and trying to explain things. It says to me there is a level of caring on behalf of the ITTF for players at grassroots which doesn't seem obvious on the face of it. While we have been unable to find evidence collectively regarding the phasing out of celluloid production, doesn't mean it isn't so. I personally dislike the idea of a poly ball and the changes that will bring with it. But I am willing to take Adham at his word that China is pulling out of celluloid production simply because if there was a hidden agenda behind it, I think it would be easier for him to simply ignore us. I'd rather a poly ball than no ball at all...so long as that ball comes close to the characteristics of our current one...or at least I am willing to try it...and hope the ITTF is willing to seek further improvement in it if it is released and found to be sub-standard. I hope Adham can assure us the ITTF will do everything in its power to attempt to achieve this end at least.
This is what everyone seems to be missing - that the ITTF President does NOT need to come here and explain anything and that it's a favor to us.
I disagree with a lot of changes the ITTF has made:
- I would reinstate frictionless long pips because it allows players to alter currently legal pips and portray them as 'used outdoors' or 'aged in a garage' and provide a advantage against players who have not played against them.
- I would reinstate the hiding the service rule because serves are already being hidden and nothing is being done about it - so give everyone the opportunity to do it on a level field.
- Speed glue and boosters should be legal if they are found not to be dangerous to health because the price of tenergy is outrageous.
- I don't see any reason to change to a different ball.
That said, every sport has changes in the rules throughout time. Changes get made, and if the change really is as bad as some of the extremists on this forum seem to think it will be, then players around the world will call for a change back. If every professional player hates the new ball, it won't stick around. I'd love to see a China Open where 95 of the top 100 players boycott because they refuse to play with the new ball since it's sooo different - that would cause an immediate change back to the old ball. But it probably won't happen because it probably won't be that different. Besides, have you even tested the ball yet for yourself, or are you just assuming you won't like it because you can't handle a little change?
Also, you don't need to play with the new ball if you don't want to. Go out and buy a bunch of currently legal celluloid balls and have a field day - host celluloid tournaments until you die.
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