William Henzell, Winner of 9 Australian Singles Titles

William Henzell, Australia’s No. 1 player, Winner of 9 Australian Singles Titles, Inducted into Table Tennis Australia’s Hall of Fame in 2008

Yasaka Pryde is my rubber of choice. Pryde is what I would call the German equivalent of the legendary Mark V rubber. It boasts the same characteristics: excellent control, versatility and touch whilst maintaining good speed and power. I feel that my Pryde allows me to play any shot that I like off any ball that my opponent can throw at me.

I’ve been using Pryde since I swapped from Mark V after the Beijing Olympics and subsequent speed glue ban. I found the two rubbers suited a similar style of game but that there were both advantages and disadvantages with each when compared directly. I like the longer dwell time (the feel of how long the ball stays on the rubber on contact) of Pryde. I felt this allows me to be late to the ball but still be able to play a strong topspin without the ball fizzling off. It has excellent dip and a high throw over the net when you topspin.

The downside to the German made rubbers for me is their airier feel - like there just isn’t as much sponge between the blade and the ball and this is true of Pryde as well. They are generally softer than the traditional Japanese rubbers and little less durable.

Pryde will suit the kind of player who demands that their rubber performs on many different levels: the touch to drop the ball short, the finesse to curl the ball past your opponent with sidespin and the power to step in for the kill. Remember – the turtle wins the race!