"Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin are too hardworking! Can't Liu Guoliang let them take a break?" This is the hottest topic of discussion among table tennis fans recently. The 2024 ITTF Chengdu Mixed Team World Cup has just concluded, with the national team winning the championship again with its strong strength. However, behind this victory, many fans have questioned Liu Guoliang's arrangements: why do young players like Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin almost always play in every match, without even a chance to catch their breath? Let's delve into the reasons behind this, and perhaps you'll find that "this melon is really juicy!"
Behind the 380 million consumption: the game is not just a game, it's also business!
Let's take a look at the results of this Chengdu World Cup: ticket revenue of 45 million yuan, and the event directly drove 380 million yuan in consumption. Yes, this is not only a sports feast, but also an economic feast. As the "mastermind" of table tennis, a national-level sport, Liu Guoliang needs to consider not only the championship trophy, but also pave the way for the market development of table tennis.
Why can't Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin rest? It's simple, because they are currently the most popular "top stream" in the table tennis world. According to insiders, the high ticket prices for this match - ranging from 288 yuan to 1088 yuan - many viewers came for them. If these two young players were allowed to rest, the box office, attention, and heat of the game would plummet. Liu Guoliang knows that the appearance of these young top stream players is the "trump card" to ensure the commercial value of the event. Economically speaking, this move is undoubtedly "solid."
Looking at the lineup arrangement of the national team: Ma Long and Chen Meng, two heavyweight players, did not participate in the Chengdu World Cup due to participation in other events; Fan Zhendong and other veterans also took appropriate breaks due to age and physical condition. On the contrary, Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin, these two young players almost "work non-stop," making many fans feel distressed.
But by carefully analyzing Liu Guoliang's strategy, you will find his painstaking efforts. This is not just about "young people working hard," but for the big layout of table tennis to occupy more shares on the Olympic stage.
Mixed team event: Liu Guoliang's "big bet"
The mixed team World Cup is a new project strongly promoted by the ITTF. Liu Guoliang has long targeted this point, hoping to promote the mixed team event into the Olympics through the strong performance of the national team. If this goal is achieved, the national team will have more opportunities to win Olympic gold medals.
As the "face value" and "traffic players" of the national team, Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin naturally became the core of this strategy - using their high popularity and excellent performance to enhance the attention and commercial value of the mixed team event.
This is not about letting young people "carry the burden," but about letting them "carry the flag!"
An insider revealed: "Liu Guoliang's move is not only for the game, but also for the future of table tennis." In his view, this "star-making" strategy can attract more young people to pay attention to table tennis, while laying the foundation for future market development.
The "being rolled" of Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin: coexistence of responsibility and opportunity
As young players, the high-intensity game schedule of Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin has also caused some controversy. Some fans worry that they may overdraw their physical energy and even affect their careers. But from another perspective, this is also an opportunity for them to prove themselves.
Within the national team, results and performance are everything. Veterans like Ma Long and Chen Meng have already won the honors they should have and can take a proper rest; but young people cannot, they need to accumulate experience and strive for status through repeated competitions. This is not only related to personal development, but also the inevitable process of the national team's renewal and replacement.
There is no doubt about the strength of Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin, but to truly become the "pillar" of the national team, they must undergo more tempering. As shown by Liu Guoliang's arrangements:
The current struggle may lead to glory for the next ten years.
Behind the controversy, Liu Guoliang's "double insurance" strategy
On one side are veterans taking strategic breaks, and on the other side are young people undergoing high-intensity training. Liu Guoliang's arrangements seem ruthless, but there is a clear logic behind them:
• Ensure veterans' physical fitness: Ma Long, Chen Meng, and others have become the "stabilizers" of the national team. Their focus is on preparing for more important competitions. By taking turns to rest, they can extend their professional life and reduce the risk of injury.
• Exercise young people: Young players like Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin need to accumulate experience through competitions, while using outstanding performances to gain fans and increase commercial value.
• Balance business and competition: By increasing the exposure rate of star players, improve the attention of the event, and lay the foundation for the market development of table tennis.
A well-informed person bluntly said: "Liu Guoliang's arrangements are both responsible for the present and for the future. He wants to ensure that the national team 'three-pronged approach' in terms of competition, business, and market development."
Future Outlook: Can young people carry the banner of the national team?
The victory of the Chengdu World Cup is just the beginning. Next, Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin will continue to compete in the Table Tennis Super League. Wang Chuqin will represent Shandong Weiqiao Club, while Sun Yingsha will lead Shenzhen University Team. Their performance is not only related to the success or failure of the club, but also a comprehensive test of their personal abilities.
For Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin, the pressure ahead is huge, but this is also an opportunity for their growth. If they can maintain a high level in the upcoming competitions, they will undoubtedly become the "new generation of faces" of the national team.
And how effective Liu Guoliang's layout will be in the future will also be verified by their performance.
Summary: Liu Guoliang, the "deep calculation" of the national team