Come to think of it, actually - the BIG noticeable difference between the 38mm and 40mm ball was serve and serve return. I have a deceptive pendulum serve where I can fool a lot of players who play a lot better than I do - I'd often cause the ball to drop in the net or go sailing off the table. It was far deadlier back when the ball was 38mm. One night a Chinese national team player visited to give an exhibition, and he played five point matches with a few people (can't remember the name, this was in the late 90s and he played - of all things - Japanese penhold). I actually got him to put the ball in the net on the first serve. The days the same serve isn't nearly as effective. I can occasionally cause the ball to fly off, the much more usual result is a high return when the returnee guesses wrong (which my doubles partner often misses when he tries to kill it..
). Doesn't work against better players much, any more. By the same token, I find serve return a LOT easier than it used to be. I find it much easier to loop long backspin loops, and to flick short services back. Never would have dared in the old days.
Iskandar
