Fan Zhendong Equipment Setup 2026: Blade, Rubbers & Full Breakdown

Fan Zhendong is arguably the most dominant table tennis player of his generation. A two-time Olympic gold medalist, multiple-time World Champion, and consistently ranked #1 in the world, his equipment choices are studied by players at every level. This article breaks down exactly what he uses — and how you can get as close to his setup as possible.

We've tracked his equipment across multiple tournaments from 2022 through early 2026, including the Paris 2024 Olympics, WTT Singapore Smash, and the German Bundesliga. Here's everything we know.

Fan Zhendong's Current Setup at a Glance

Note: In December 2025, during the German Bundesliga, Fan Zhendong was observed switching his rubber sides — Dignics 09C on forehand and Hurricane 3 National Blue Sponge on backhand. It remains to be seen if this becomes his permanent configuration in 2026. We'll update this article as more information becomes available.

The Blade: Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC

Since becoming a Butterfly-sponsored player in November 2021, Fan Zhendong has used the Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC as his primary blade. It was released by Butterfly in 2022 as his signature model and quickly became one of the most sought-after blades in the world.

Specifications

What Makes It Special

The Fan Zhendong ALC builds on the legendary Viscaria/Timo Boll ALC platform but is optimized for Fan's explosive, two-wing attacking style. The core layer is slightly thicker (~5.8mm vs ~5.7mm on the Timo Boll ALC), which gives it more direct power while maintaining excellent dwell time for spin-heavy loops.

Players who have tested both the FZD ALC and the Viscaria consistently report that the FZD ALC has better dwell time for topspin rallies, while the Viscaria edges ahead on flat hits and backhand drives. The choice depends on your playing style.

Fan's Personal Version vs What You Can Buy

Fan Zhendong uses a Golden personal version of the FZD ALC — identifiable by the gold logo plate on the handle end. His blade is hand-selected by Butterfly from the production line and is part of the "double code" system, carrying two serial numbers instead of one.

The commercial version available in stores is already an excellent blade — one of the best ALC blades on the market. But the double-code version offers superior wood selection and more consistent feel from shot to shot. The difference is most noticeable at higher playing levels.

To understand more about the double-code system, read our guide: Commercial vs Pro Personal Blades: What's Really Different?

👉 Browse our FZD ALC Double Code blades

Forehand Rubber: DHS Hurricane 3 National — Blue Sponge

Like virtually every top Chinese player, Fan Zhendong uses DHS Hurricane 3 on his forehand — but not the version you'll find in most stores. His is the National version with a blue sponge, hardness 42°, thickness 2.1mm.

What Makes the National Blue Sponge Different

The blue sponge is the most visible indicator that you're looking at a team-grade Hurricane rubber. While the commercial version has an orange sponge, the national team version has a distinctive blue sponge — a different compound that offers more elasticity while maintaining the heavy tackiness that Chinese rubbers are known for.

The national grade undergoes stricter quality control, with more consistent tackiness across the topsheet and more uniform sponge density. This translates to more spin, better control on serves and short game, and more predictable behavior when looping at different speeds.

Fan's rubber is also boosted — a common practice among professional players. Boosting (using speed-enhancing tuners) makes the sponge more elastic and increases speed, but it's important to know that the base rubber itself is already a step above what most players use.

What's Available to You

👉 Browse our DHS Hurricane rubbers

Backhand Rubber: Butterfly Dignics 09C

On his backhand, Fan uses the Butterfly Dignics 09C — one of Butterfly's flagship rubbers. The "09C" stands for the combination of Spring Sponge X technology with a slightly tacky topsheet, bridging the gap between traditional European tensor rubbers and Chinese tacky rubbers.

Why Dignics 09C for the Backhand

The 09C gives Fan the best of both worlds on his backhand: the speed and elasticity of Japanese tensor technology for fast counters and flicks, combined with a tacky topsheet that allows him to generate heavy spin on backhand loops and receive with more control than a pure tensor rubber.

Spring Sponge X is Butterfly's latest generation sponge technology — a step above the Spring Sponge used in the Tenergy series. It provides higher energy transfer on impact, which means more speed and spin for the same effort. The 09C is harder than most Tenergy rubbers, which suits Fan's aggressive backhand style.

Dignics 09C Key Specs

👉 Browse our Butterfly rubbers

Fan Zhendong's Equipment History

Fan Zhendong has used several different blades throughout his career. Understanding his equipment evolution shows why he ended up with the setup he uses today.

The constant throughout his career: DHS Hurricane 3 National Blue Sponge on the forehand. He has never moved away from Chinese tacky rubber on his forehand — it's fundamental to his devastating spin game. The backhand evolved from Tenergy 05 to Dignics 09C when the technology improved, and his blade evolved from the Viscaria platform to the optimized FZD ALC.

How to Replicate Fan Zhendong's Setup

You can't buy Fan Zhendong's exact personal blade — it's a one-of-a-kind custom. But you can get remarkably close. Here are three tiers depending on your budget and level.

Tier 1: The Closest You Can Get (Pro Personal)

This is the setup that gets you as close to Fan Zhendong's actual racket as physically possible. The double-code blade has the same hand-selection process as the blades produced for pros, and the national blue sponge rubber is what every Chinese national team player uses.

Tier 2: Tournament-Ready (Mid-Range)

The commercial FZD ALC is already one of the best blades available. Paired with the Neo version of Hurricane 3 (which is factory-boosted for more speed) and a genuine Dignics 09C, this setup will take you very far in competitive play.

Tier 3: Budget-Friendly Alternative

This is essentially what Fan Zhendong used before 2022 — and he won World Championships with this setup. The Viscaria is the same ALC platform, the commercial Hurricane 3 is a solid forehand rubber, and Tenergy 05 remains one of the best backhand rubbers ever made. An excellent starting point for advanced players building toward a pro-level setup.

Why This Setup Works: Playing Style Analysis

Fan Zhendong's equipment choices aren't random — they're precisely matched to his playing style. Understanding why he uses each component helps you decide if a similar setup would work for your game.

Forehand: Spin-first aggression. Fan's forehand loop is one of the heaviest in the sport. The combination of a tacky Hurricane 3 blue sponge on a flexible ALC blade creates maximum dwell time — the ball sinks into the rubber and sponge, picks up massive spin, and launches with a steep, dipping arc. His pendulum serves are devastating because the tacky topsheet grips the ball like no tensor rubber can.

Backhand: Speed and versatility. The Dignics 09C is faster and more direct than the forehand side. Fan uses it for quick flicks over the table, fast backhand counters, and explosive backhand loops from mid-distance. The slightly tacky topsheet of the 09C (compared to pure tensor rubbers like Tenergy) gives him extra control on short game and receive.

Blade: The bridge between two worlds. The FZD ALC needs to accommodate two very different rubbers — a slow, tacky Chinese rubber and a fast, elastic Japanese tensor. The ALC carbon provides enough speed to activate the Hurricane rubber on the forehand while not making the Dignics side uncontrollably fast. It's a blade designed for hybrid setups.

Is This Setup Right for You?

Fan Zhendong's setup is optimized for a specific style of play. It might be perfect for you — or it might hold you back. Here's how to decide:

✅ Consider this setup if:

— You're an offensive player who attacks with both forehand and backhand

— You value spin over raw flat-hit speed

— You already have experience with Chinese tacky rubbers

— You play a hybrid setup (Chinese FH + Japanese/European BH)

❌ This setup may not suit you if:

— You prefer an all-tensor setup (European rubbers both sides)

— You're primarily a defender or chopper

— You play close to the table with short, direct strokes

— You're an intermediate player — Hurricane 3 requires significant technique to use well

Conclusion

Fan Zhendong's equipment setup is a masterclass in matching gear to playing style. A flexible ALC blade as the foundation, Chinese tacky rubber for devastating spin on the forehand, and a modern high-tech tensor for speed and versatility on the backhand. Every component serves a purpose.

Whether you go for the double-code pro version or the commercial equivalent, the core philosophy remains the same: controlled aggression, with spin as the primary weapon.

Not sure which version of this setup matches your level? Contact us — we'll help you build the right racket for your game. Free personal advice, always.