729 Friendship’s Presto rubber series comes with two highly interesting, modern offensive rubbers specially developed for the new plastic ball. The developer’s goal was to optimize both speed and spin values compared to previous Friendship rubbers. With the introduction of the plastic ball, it has become more important for players to increase spin with the appropriate material. Contrary to what might be assumed, the Presto-Spin and the Presto-Speed both feature the same sponge. The open-pore sponge has a hardness of 42°, giving it a very European feel.
This sponge is very dynamic and powerful. Although the Presto blades don’t quite match German speed glue rubbers in terms of speed and catapult effect, the combination of a grippy, spinny topsheet and a fast sponge provides absolutely sufficient speed, especially in combination with faster blades.
As its name already implies, the Presto-Spin was specially developed for spin-oriented offensive players. The elastic and very grippy yet non-tacky topsheet enables high-rotation serves and returns and very spinny opening topspins. The rubber perfectly suits close-to-table play and enables a diverse range of techniques. From mid-distance, it should be combined with Off-/Off blades to allow for very good dynamics and spin.
In terms of its feel, the Presto is clearly European and is similar to classical Japanese rubbers which have been tuned/speed glued. As mentioned above, the sponge is identical to that of the Presto-Speed. The Presto Spin has a slightly thicker and spinnier topsheet, giving it slightly higher control. A rubber which will particularly suit players for whom the catapult effect of German rubbers is a little bit too high.