Butterfly Tiago Apolonia ZLC

The Tiago Apolonia ZLC is a premium offensive blade featuring a 5+2 construction with Zylon Carbon layers positioned in an inner-fiber configuration. By placing the composite layers closer to the core and utilizing Limba outer veneers, the blade maintains a woody, tactile feel during short touch play and passive blocking while providing a stiff, powerful response when engaging in aggressive topspin rallies.

Playing Characteristics

• Feel and Feedback: Offers a unique blend of softness and crispness. The inner-fiber construction provides significant vibration feedback, allowing for high control during slow, delicate strokes.
• Speed and Power: The blade functions with a linear response, delivering a noticeable “kick” or catapult effect when the player executes high-intensity loops or strikes the ball with force. It is well-suited for mid-distance play and powerful counter-looping.
• Spin and Dwell: The construction promotes extended dwell time, facilitating heavy spin generation on serves and aggressive opening loops. The low arc produced on topspin shots contributes to its effective attacking profile.
• Construction: The combination of an Ayous core, Limba outer veneers, and inner Zylon Carbon results in a slightly heavier, balanced build. Pairing this blade with harder, high-tension rubbers is often recommended to complement the softer outer plies and maximize the potential of the ZLC layers.