Men's World Top 30 Equipment Setups — June 2026
Updated monthly. Beyond the current world top 30, I occasionally include a few well-known players outside that group. I try to attach as many player paddle photos as possible.
Any inaccuracies are purely unintentional.
The next major event on the calendar is the US Open Grand Smash in late June, so a full picture of what the stars are actually playing won’t be clear until then. For this edition, I’ll just talk through recent developments.
Fan Zhendong: Fan Zhendong ALC Special, ZYRE-03, D09C
Xiao Pang playing ZYRE-03 on the forehand has been the hottest topic lately. But coming back to ourselves: we can certainly analyze why the stars make these swaps, but at the end of the day we first have to “know ourselves” — understand our own style and characteristics, so we don’t get swept along chasing every trend.
1. Wang Chuqin: Q968, NEO Blue National Hurricane, Hurricane 8-20 Special
When Q968 and S968 first launched, they were noticeably pricier than the W968. Now it’s the other way around — W968 costs more. Why? I’ve said it before: Q968 is essentially a slightly firmer W968, with nearly identical quality. So the price gap has nothing to do with quality.
My read is that everyone who was going to buy Q or S already has. People who like Sun Yingsha have bought in. Those who don’t will probably just choose W968.
2. Harimoto Tomokazu: Harimoto SALC, ZYRE-03, ZYRE-03
The Harimoto Super ALC and my custom same-structure blade “Miao,” along with the Donic Linde, have got me thinking more about a question: sometimes, instead of chasing “ball quality” (especially depth of feel), is it actually better to focus on forgiveness, consistency, and ease of use? At last month’s alumni cup I saw several former school teammates — all strong players in their day — playing my Miao and doing great.
3. Lebrun Alexis (Moregard): Cyber 6 CWT (gold badge), HELIX Platinum XH, HELIX Platinum XH
Many readers who follow this account have got this one figured out. Basically: DNA Platinum is more transparent and speeds up more easily; HELIX Platinum is more grippy and easier for spin generation, and at the same equivalent hardness it feels harder and denser. HELIX also has a hybrid version coming.
4. Felix Lebrun: Tibhar Felix, K3 Pro Special, K3 Pro Special
I had a quick hit with the K3 VIP — that’s the K3 with real punch, and the player-used version is probably close to that. The standard K3 and K3 Pro don’t generate much power on the forehand.
5. Lin Shidong: Outer ALC Special, NEO Blue National Hurricane, D09C
This equipment formula applies in most situations. If you can’t punch through D09C on the backhand, swap it out for a V15 Sticky or a tensor rubber like T05.
6. Yukiya Uda: Fan Zhendong ALC Special, D09C, ZYRE-03
Has anyone come across the new 2024 Butterfly special edition (Fan ALC structure)? If so, I’m looking to pick one up. If it’s a retail Fan ALC, I’d personally lean toward a firmer Viscaria.
7. Lin Yun-ju: Super Viscaria, Z03, D05
I tried Z03 before but haven’t tested it on the Super Viscaria forehand. Last month I released a Super Viscaria-structure custom called “Mo Zai Ti,” and the feedback has been really good — there have already been repeat purchases in ST and CS grips. The new shakehand FL batch should arrive this weekend, so those who ordered and haven’t received theirs yet will get them soon.
8. Hugo Calderano: Joola Hugo ARY-C, both sides Trinity Charged
Rumors are that Hugo’s 57.5-degree rubber feels similar to Dynasty ZGR. The pimple dimensions look slightly different to me, so I’ll test it myself soon. The Hugo ARY-C is a blade with inner green-fiber-carbon construction — I tested it at the Sports Expo and was quite impressed with its ball-gripping and solidity.
9. Jang Woojin: W968, NEO Blue National Hurricane, K3 Pro
10. Qiu Dang: Viscaria Special, D09C, D09C
I’ve been using D09C on the forehand with a retail Viscaria and it’s working quite well — better than when I had it on an inner-carbon blade. From instant grip to blade support, everything matches up reasonably well, and single-shot quality is about adequate.
11. Benedikt Duda: Luma Hybrid Carbon, NEO Blue National Hurricane, DNA Hybrid XH
12. Alexis Lebrun: Tibhar Alexis, K3 Pro Special, K3 Pro Special
Duda and Alexis are both on outer green-fiber-carbon blades from the same factory, so they have a similar character.
13. Duda (Darko Jorgic): Duda AFC, both sides V greater than 15 Sticky
For a budget D09C alternative on the backhand, V15s is the answer.
14. Linde: Donic Linde Carbon, Grubba C2 Special, Grubba C2 Special
15. Darko Jorgic: Tibhar Darko Carbon (English name: Infinity Carbon — heterogeneous structure), K2, MX-P Infinity
16. Xiang Peng: W968, NEO Blue National Hurricane, Dignics C55.0
At the Chongqing Championships, Xiang Peng switched his backhand back from Hurricane to Dignics C55.0. He wasn’t in the lineup at the World Championships. Worth noting: the fact that national team players are trying Xiom rubbers is likely linked to Wang Hao signing with Xiom.
17. Harimoto Shunsuke: Fan Zhendong ALC Special, ZYRE-03, ZYRE-03
Prioritizing pace and line-switching ability in topspin rallies — that’s the guiding philosophy behind so many Japanese players switching to Z03.
18. Franziska: Franziska ZLC, D05/Z03, D09C
19. Kanak Jha: Donic Nirei Worm, Blue Star A1, Blue Star A1
Semi-tack, but that A1 has a firm sponge feel similar to Hurricane, and can also brush thin — it works as an outer-rubber option.
20. Simon Gauzy: Andro Gauzy, NUZN 55, NUZN 55
At its core this is still a VCI — inner green fiber carbon.
21. Zhou Qihao: Double Fish Project Z, NEO Blue National Hurricane, D09C
Korean-made outer green-fiber carbon.
22. Ovtcharov: Ovtcharov ALC (structure is likely Viscaria), D09C, ZYRE-03
23. Chen Yuanyu: Gold-badge Viscaria, NEO Blue National Hurricane, K3 Pro
24. Pletea: Andro ZCO, NUZN 55, NUZN 55
Outer ZLC structure players are extremely rare now. His style is mostly straightforward ball-path, and a springier blade suits him fine.
25. An Jaehyun: W968, NEO Blue National Hurricane, D09C
The 968 is still absolutely valid — especially that forehand, loading up and then exploding.
26. Liang Jingkun: Liang Jingkun ADC Special, NEO Blue National Hurricane, NEO Orange National Hurricane
Just received the latest Liang Jingkun special — looking forward to trying it.
27. Oh Jeongseo: Tibhar outer green-fiber-carbon special, K3 Pro, K3 Pro
28. Polansky (Samuel): Tibhar Alexis, both sides K3 Pro
That outer green-fiber-carbon Alexis really is popular among Tibhar-contracted players.
29. Uda Yukiya (Innerforce ZLC Special, G-FLESS handle): D09C, ZYRE-03
The Japanese team clearly believes Z03 can help them win.
Many of Butterfly’s contracted players on inner ZLC structures are playing an upgraded ZLC — Super ZLC. That player-special structure (inner Super ZLC plus ayous core) is exactly what my custom Super Hei Ma (Yinhe Hei Ma Yazhi MAX ZFC) uses this year — grippier, spinnier, with more depth of feel.
30. Kanak Jha: Boll ALC, ZYRE-03, D05
At the German Bundesliga finals, Jha — who had been playing Super Viscaria last month — switched back to Boll ALC, and also changed his backhand rubber from Z03 to D05.
The above covers the world top 30. Below are some notable players outside that group, in no particular order.
Shino Tomohiro: Boll ALC Special, D09C, Z03
The Japanese men’s team has almost universally adopted Z03 on the backhand. A clearly different strategic philosophy from ours.
Karlberg: Boll ALC, D09C, D09C
Tried both sides Z03 and found it just didn’t work.
Grodt: Boll ALC, D09C, D09C
So the Boll ALC really is that versatile?
Aruna: GEWO Aruna Hinoki Carbon OFF, Venom 53, Venom 53 Green
Venom 53 has a lot of power, though Venom 48 is closer to T05 in character.
Omar Assar: Butterfly Omar, D09C, D05
Forehand rubber switched from D05 to D09C. His Omar is also a special edition — same structure as the Omar Limited.
Cho Dae-seong: W968, NEO Blue National Hurricane, NEO Orange National Hurricane
Robles: Tibhar Alexis, K3 Pro Special, K3 Special
Tanaka Yuta: Ovtcharov ALC, ZYRE-03, ZYRE-03
Spin is the one thing that can be sacrificed.
Lim Jonghoon: Butterfly Lim Jonghoon Special, D09C, D09C
Lee Sangsu: Yinhe 520X, NEO Blue National Hurricane, NEO Orange National Hurricane
Yinhe’s blades, both inner and outer carbon, have now earned recognition from national-team-level players. The Yinhe Hei Ma Yazhi KLC re-purchase rate has also climbed very high.
Wong Chun Ting: Zhang Jike ALC Special, D09C, D09C
For a player with balanced forehand and backhand, same rubber on both sides — no problem.
Pitchford: Zhou Qihao S-ALC 90, Dynasty ZGR, Dynasty ZGR
Currently dealing with injury.
Yoshimura Maharu: Outer SALC Special, both sides ZYRE-03
Carlsson: Korbel SK7, D09C, Z03
Another backhand Z03 convert.
Niwa Koki: Niwa Koki ZC, V greater than 22, V greater than 15 Sticky
Right — V15s really is stable on the backhand.
Falck: Falck Carbon, Rakza PO short pips, Rakza X
Oshima Yuya: SYNTELIAC VCI OFF, NUZN 55, Rasanter C53
The inner green-fiber-carbon VCI has become the second-most-used blade among Andro-contracted players, after the Gauzy. And my “Mo Yu” custom is also pretty solid in that category.
Freitas: Freitas ALC, D09C, ZYRE-03
Alamiyan: Viscaria, D05, D05
Both Alamiyan brothers are on the same setup.
Ionescu: Tibhar outer green-fiber-carbon special, K3 Special, K3 Pro
Muramatsu Yuto: Gokumon Men, MK Pro, Speedy Soft
Huang Youzheng: Fan Zhendong Super ALC, NEO Blue National Hurricane, NEO Orange National Hurricane
Yuan Licen: LOKI Yuan Licen Special, NEO Blue National Hurricane, NEO Orange National Hurricane
Xu Yingbin: Carbon 190, NEO Blue National Hurricane, DNA Hybrid 55 degrees
Backhand switched from Jinlong 57.5 to Hybrid 55.
Giraldo: Harimoto Super ALC, D05, D09C
This guy is a real gear-burner — not long ago he was on Super Viscaria with two-sided Z03. At the Tunisia Challenge, he switched to the Harimoto Super ALC with D09C on the backhand.
Jarvis: Cyber 6 CWT, both sides DNA Hybrid XH