JOOLA Tango Ultra is a professional-grade short pips table tennis rubber, part of the JOOLA Precision Line, designed for modern offensive-defensive players emphasizing blocking and counter-attacks at the table. ITTF-approved, this rubber features a soft “Balance” sponge (~40° on the ESN scale, calculated based on Soft characteristics) with integrated Tensor technology that provides good speed (92/200, ~9.5/20), limited spin (60/200, ~6.5/20), and sufficient control (75/200, ~11/20). The short pip structure (1 mm height, 2.1 mm width, 1.1 mm spacing) creates a high arc-shaped trajectory (8.5/10) and high precision (8.5/10), ideal for passive and active blocks, counter-attacks, and flat hits at the table. Optimized for the plastic 40+ ball, Tango Ultra offers a Tensor "speed glue effect", which absorbs incoming energy during passive blocks and provides explosive power for active blocks and attacks. Due to its lightweight (~41 g cut) and durability, JOOLA Tango Ultra is a high-quality option that reflects the JOOLA Precision Line technologies, suitable for high-level competition.

Key Features:

• Rubber Type: Short pips

• Rubber Category: Precision

• Playing Style: Offensive-Defensive (OFF-/DEF+)

• Speed: 92/200 (~9.5/20 general scale)

• Spin: 60/200 (~6.5/20 general scale)

• Control: 75/200 (~11/20 general scale)

• Precision: 8.5/10

• Trajectory: 8.5/10 (high, suitable for blocks and counter-attacks)

• Sponge Hardness: ~40° (soft, ESN scale)

• Sponge Type: Balance (with Tensor technology)

• Sponge Thickness: 2.0 mm, Max

• Surface Type: Short pips, grippy (non-tacky)

• Pip Dimensions: Height 1 mm, Width 2.1 mm, Spacing 1.1 mm

• Colors: Red, black

• Made in: Germany

• Approval: ITTF approved

• Weight: ~64 g (uncut, 180x170 mm), ~41 g (cut, Stiga standard 157x150 mm)

• Technologies: Balance sponge, Tensor technology, optimized for 40+ ball

• Category: Offensive-Defensive (OFF-/DEF+)

JOOLA Tango Ultra features a modern construction, combining a soft “Balance” sponge with Tensor technology and a grippy short pips surface, offering speed, control, and dynamic blocking:

Sponge (~40°):

The soft Balance sponge (~40° ESN) with Tensor technology creates a speed glue effect, increasing elasticity and speed (92/200). Compared to JOOLA Express Ultra (104/200 speed, ~40°), Tango Ultra is slower but offers better control (75/200) and less spin (60/200), suitable for blocking and countering. Compared to JOOLA Rhyzen Ice (~42°, 103/200 speed), the sponge is similarly soft, but Tango Ultra provides less speed and spin but more blocking accuracy. Compared to Yasaka Rakza PO (~41°), the sponge is similarly soft but offers more control and a more sensitive feel due to Tensor.

Surface:

Non-tacky, grippy short pips surface (60/200 spin) with wide, short pips and medium spacing optimized for 40+ plastic balls. The surface ensures limited spin but excels in blocking, counter-attacking, and flat hits, reducing the effect of incoming topspin. Compared to JOOLA Express Ultra (80/200 spin), Tango Ultra has less spin but more control and stability during blocks. Compared to Butterfly Impartial XS, the surface is less grippy but offers more forgiveness and precision.

Tensor Technology:

Integrated into the soft Balance sponge, Tensor absorbs ball energy during passive blocks, ensuring high control (75/200), and releases explosive power for active blocks and counter-attacks, enhancing speed (92/200). Compared to JOOLA Rhyzen CWX (~50°, 57/200 speed), Tango Ultra is much faster and more suitable for offensive-defensive play. Compared to TSP Spectol, Tango Ultra offers more control and a more sensitive feel.

Short Pip Structure:

Short, wide pips (1 mm height, 2.1 mm width, 1.1 mm spacing) ensure a high arc-shaped trajectory (8.5/10) and excellent precision (8.5/10), supporting passive and active blocks, counter-attacks, and flat hits. The surface reduces the impact of incoming topspin, making it ideal for fast-paced table play.

Weight and Durability:

JOOLA Tango Ultra is lightweight (~41 g cut), lighter than JOOLA Express Ultra (~42 g) and JOOLA MAXXX 500 (~45 g). This allows pairing with heavier blades like Butterfly Defensive Pro without losing balance. The rubber is durable, maintaining grip and elasticity even after intense use, making it an economical choice.

Available in 2.0 mm and Max thicknesses, suitable for offensive-defensive table play, offering balanced speed, control, and limited spin. Colors—red and black—comply with ITTF standards. Water-based glue, such as JOOLA Lex Glue, is recommended for mounting.

Technical Ratings & Playing Characteristics:

• Speed (92/200, ~9.5/20): A medium-speed rubber suitable for passive/active blocks, counter-attacks, and flat hits. Compared to JOOLA Express Ultra (104/200), it's slower but offers better control. Slightly slower than Butterfly Impartial XS (~10/20) but provides more accuracy and forgiveness.

• Spin (60/200, ~6.5/20): Limited spin due to the short pips surface, suitable for countering, blocking, and serves—less than inverted rubbers like JOOLA Rhyzen Ice (120/200). Compared to Express Ultra (80/200), less spin, but better control/stability. High trajectory (8.5/10) supports blocking and counter-attacking.

• Control (75/200, ~11/20): Soft sponge (~40°) and short pips surface provide sufficient control, especially for blocking, countering, and short play. Compared to JOOLA Rhyzen CMD (112/200), less control, but enough for offensive-defensive play. Compared to TSP Spectol, more control and better feel.

• Trajectory (8.5/10): High arc trajectory for passive and active blocks, ideal for counter-attacks and flat shots. Compared to Express Ultra (8/10), slightly higher, aiding blocking. Stable trajectory during blocks, effective against topspin.

• Precision (8.5/10): High accuracy allows precise ball placement during blocks, counters, and flat hits.

Game Aspects:

• Blocking: 9.7/10 – Exceptionally effective for passive and active blocking at the table, absorbing topspin energy and generating explosive counter-energy.

• Counter-hitting: 9.4/10 – Enables fast, accurate counter-attacks with limited spin. Suitable for third-ball attacks and countering against topspin.

Flat hits (smashing): 9.3/10 – Suitable for flat hits that generate fast and precise trajectories, especially effective near the table. The short pips structure reduces incoming topspin rotation, allowing for more stable and direct finishes. Compared to JOOLA Express Ultra, Tango Ultra provides slightly less speed but greater accuracy and ease of control during smashes.

Service and receive: 8.1/10 – The non-tacky pips and lower spin sensitivity help reduce errors on service return, especially against spinny serves. While spin potential is limited (60/200), the rubber still allows for deceptive flat serves and controlled short serves. On receive, it handles topspin and side spin well, providing stable contact and control.

Short game: 8.3/10 – Due to the soft sponge and balanced control, Tango Ultra performs well in the short game. Pushing and drop shots are predictable and easy to execute with good placement control. Compared to inverted rubbers like JOOLA Rhyzen CMD, Tango Ultra offers less spin but greater stability and forgiveness in delicate plays.

Chopping: 6.5/10 – Chopping is possible with JOOLA Tango Ultra, though the low spin potential makes it less effective than long pips or certain short pips rubbers like JOOLA CWX. However, the rubber can still be used for occasional chopping away from the table, especially on float or medium-spin balls.

Spin reversal: 7.2/10 – The short, wide pip structure allows for a moderate level of spin reversal, especially effective against high-spin topspin shots. While it doesn’t reverse spin as strongly as long pips, it provides enough disruption to make blocks and counters more unpredictable.

Conclusion:

JOOLA Tango Ultra is a high-quality short pips rubber in the Precision Line, designed for offensive-defensive players who emphasize blocking, counter-hitting, and flat strokes close to the table. With its soft Balance sponge (~40°) combined with Tensor technology, it offers a balanced mix of speed (92/200), control (75/200), and moderate spin (60/200). The short, wide pips structure contributes to high trajectory (8.5/10) and precision (8.5/10), making it ideal for consistent, stable, and disruptive play styles.

Tango Ultra is a strong choice for modern players seeking aggressive control, high-quality blocking, and accurate counterplay. Its light weight (~41g cut) and durability make it a smart long-term investment for competitive play.

Joola Tango Ultra

Joola Tango Ultra

Joola Tango Ultra