Hammond Z2

Finds Hammond Z2 very grippy and spinny but an awkward two-gear rubber: drives, smashes and blocks come out low and direct with little spin, while brushing raises the throw sharply, so it isn't intuitive and needs a proper counterloop technique; its high base speed suits forehand flicks but needs care in the short game.

“If you just drive and smash or block, the throw is quite low and direct, easy to aim. but there will be minimal spin. So it’s not great for blocking despite the initial direct impression.”

Used to play Tenergy/Dignics 05 on both sides and now plays Hammond Z2 on the backhand: very spin-insensitive compared with D05, so they can drive or punch incoming backspin instead of flicking, their pushes are predictable and they play flatter, which they love.