Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, and Chen Meng, three giants of table tennis, have withdrawn from the world rankings and are essentially bidding farewell to the international stage. Ma Long can be said to have no regrets, Fan Zhendong retired too early in his prime, and Chen Meng is still missing a World Championship women's singles title for a perfect career, yet everything has returned to zero.
When world rankings determine eligibility for competitions, wild cards may be the only opportunity. What will happen next remains to be seen.
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has published a summary and evaluation of their careers due to the "departure" of these three individuals. What did ITTF say? Please read on.
On the last day of 2024, the Chinese Table Tennis Association announced that the three most representative figures in table tennis - Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, and Chen Meng - have withdrawn from the ITTF world rankings.
Ma Long is hailed as one of the greatest table tennis players in history, achieving unparalleled success in his illustrious career.
He is a two-time singles Olympic champion (2016, 2020), a three-time singles world champion (2015, 2017, 2019), and a three-time singles World Cup champion (2012, 2015, 2024), making him one of the few grand slam winners in the sport.
Known as "Dragon," Ma Long extended his dominance to team events, winning numerous world team championships and Olympic team gold medals for China. His record-breaking world No. 1 ranking further highlights his dominance in the sport, as he held the top spot longer than any other athlete in history.
His relentless efforts, impeccable technique, and sportsmanship have left an indelible mark on the sport, inspiring generations of players and fans.
Chen Meng has always been the ruler of women's table tennis, achieving remarkable accomplishments on the grandest stages of the sport, solidifying her legacy. As the singles champion at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, as well as the 2020 women's singles World Cup champion, Chen Meng has consistently displayed her talent. Her contributions played a significant role in China's success, helping her win multiple world team championships and Olympic team gold medals. Although Chen Meng narrowly missed the World Championship title with two silver medals (2019, 2023) and one bronze medal (2021), her extraordinary career has continuously inspired players worldwide.
Fan Zhendong is one of the brightest stars in the table tennis world, solidifying his status as a prodigy of his generation.
As the 2024 Paris singles Olympic champion, a two-time singles world champion (2021, 2023), and a four-time singles World Cup champion (2016, 2018, 2019, 2020), he ruled the sport with unparalleled stability.
Fan Zhendong is known for his explosive power and is also the cornerstone of China's success in team events, having won multiple world team championships and Olympic team gold medals. As a long-term world No. 1, his resilience and adaptability have earned him a place among the greatest players in the sport.
As the New Year's Day of 2025 approaches, I wish the table tennis world a return to its former glory, and may all fellow players have a smooth sailing in everything they do!
Table Tennis Net Hu Qingyuan