In the 2024 Ping Pong Super League men's team semi-finals, Shanghai Real Estate lost 0-3 to Shandong Weiqiao. Fan Zhendong, who played in the second set, was defeated 1-3 by Wang Chuqin and failed to advance to the final.
Many people noticed that Fan Zhendong was not in top form during this match. Just three hours before the semi-finals, Liu Guoliang, as the chairman of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, respected and understood the decision of Fan Zhendong, Ma Long, and Chen Meng to withdraw from the world rankings. He criticized the unreasonable rules of the WTT World Table Tennis League and stated his intention to help athletes protect their rights, promote new regulations within the WTT, and even promised opportunities for Fan Zhendong and others to participate in international competitions with P cards.
Liu Guoliang, who had previously remained silent and refused to compromise, suddenly made concessions just before Fan Zhendong's match, which left many people incredulous. After all, he is not only the head of the Chinese Table Tennis Association but also the head of the WTT World Table Tennis League. Criticizing another of his own identities, what exactly is Old Liu up to? Famous journalist He Xiaolong, who has been following the national table tennis team, provided an interpretation. He believes that the reason for Liu Guoliang's concession is mainly due to two reasons: first, the huge pressure from public opinion; second, the General Administration of Sports should have started to intervene!
He Xiaolong thinks that Liu Guoliang would not target Fan Zhendong for personal emotional reasons. The reason why the WTT World Table Tennis League under his leadership introduced rules such as mandatory participation, zero points, and fines is actually aimed at a few top players like Fan Zhendong. The purpose is to ensure the appeal of the matches. If top players don't come, how can we attract fans to watch the games? How can commercial interests be guaranteed? However, Fan Zhendong is unwilling to work himself to death and needs to adjust mentally and physically!
He Xiaolong believes that although Liu Guoliang is also making concessions and leading the introduction of new regulations within the WTT World Table Tennis League, he still thinks that Liu Guoliang will face a crisis of being fired. After all, Old Liu has caused too much negative public opinion now, and perhaps the only way to end these disputes is to step down.
After the game, Fan Zhendong responded to the loss by saying that the match attracted too much attention. He prepared with a calm mind before the game and actively adjusted his state during the game, preparing for both leading and lagging positions. Although there are wins and losses in the game, he still hopes to give his best effort. Deng Yaping commented on the reason for Fan Zhendong's loss to Wang Chuqin after the game: "I feel that Little Fat's condition today is not very good, he is not excited, and his concentration is not high. On the other hand, Wang Chuqin played very well, with flexible tactics and techniques."
Next, how the WTT World Table Tennis League will adjust and whether Fan Zhendong will regain his world ranking will need to be verified over time.