On January 3rd, the national table tennis team began their winter training in Hainan, officially starting a 23-day winter training session that will last until the 25th. At that time, players who did not participate in the Singapore Grand Slam will be able to return home for the New Year as usual, while those selected for the Singapore Grand Slam will not be able to spend the holiday at home. Additionally, some players will be participating in the Doha Star Match on January 6th, followed by subsequent challenge matches, meaning they will have very few days of actual winter training.
Xu Chenhao shared his experiences in Hainan, stating that it is indeed very comfortable there. He posted photos with his teammates, showcasing the environment and dining facilities in Hainan. Indeed, choosing Hainan for winter training is an excellent decision due to its suitable temperature, which is more conducive to training.
Sun Yingsha was interviewed by "Table Tennis World" and expressed her regrets after the Paris Olympics, but also stated that it would not be her last Olympic Games. She has been with the national team for 10 years, from being a young player to where she is now, and every competition is worth looking back on as it represents the rewards of her efforts.
During competitions, her parents may avoid calling her to prevent disturbing her. After the Olympics, including when she returned home, neither her parents nor friends would discuss the matches with her; instead, they would chat about happier topics, perhaps out of concern that discussing the matches might upset her. However, Sun Yingsha herself did not feel too distressed and never cried. After finishing the team event, she rested for two days before participating in the closing ceremony.
Her conversations with Coach Qiu did not revolve around the matches either, as both were in low spirits and could not recall what they talked about. The main reason was that she was mentally overwhelmed and somewhat depressed at the time, so she spent more time wandering outside to relax.
She has not revisited the women's singles final of the Paris Olympics, wanting to take some time to clear her mind. It is necessary to summarize each match, and once she has settled down, she will seriously analyze them.
In that match, Mengjie's performance was better than I expected, with a competitive state superior to mine. During the Paris cycle, I won more times, but she had a better mentality and played more calmly in that final.
For 2025, Sun Yingsha stated that her primary focus is still on the process, without placing too many demands on the results. The most important event is the World Table Tennis Championships, and naturally, she yearns to defend her title.
Zhang Jike, during a live broadcast, spoke highly of Wang Manyu, saying, "Manyu has already won several championships; it's not just about winning." In the "Los Angeles cycle," Wang Manyu needs to redefine her position.
Facing netizen criticism for riding on the coattails of the national table tennis team's popularity, former national table tennis player Zhang Jike responded in the live broadcast room, "Do I even need to ride on their popularity?" Zhang Jike also claimed that he would teach some netizens how to behave.
Later, Zhang Jike said, "Are they confused? Not just a little confused. Mainly, those who say 'those words' don't realize their own confusion and think they are smart."
As a grand slam winner and a former top sports figure, Zhang Jike now conducts teaching classes. People with real skills speak with confidence, smirking and showing contemptuous glances, completely disdainful of riding on the national table tennis team's small amount of traffic.
In fact, whatever he says is picked up by various media outlets and widely reposted, generating its own heat. He is considered the godfather of the national table tennis fan circle, and much of the current popularity of table tennis can be attributed to Zhang Jike.
At the peak of his career, Zhang Jike's popularity surpassed that of Ma Long and Fan Zhendong. It was Zhang Jike who first brought attention to the national table tennis team, becoming the first tifo in the world of table tennis, dominating the charts with a massive following, turning a minor sport into a major hit. One can still sense the explosive popularity he enjoyed through videos from that era.
Because no one had such a large following before, lgl also witnessed the allure of traffic from Jike, and now they are deeply immersed in the dream of traffic, unable to extricate themselves.
Some netizens also commented that his level of table tennis, his professional standards, and his high psychological quality are quite strong. His mental fortitude in competitions is exceptional, and his overall demeanor, as well as his presence and aura during matches, exude a very masculine charm.