In the sport of table tennis, which is filled with speed and passion, the arrival of each major competition always stirs the hearts of countless fans. Recently, with the announcement of the participation details for the 2025 Doha World Table Tennis Championships, a discussion about promises and reality has quietly unfolded.
Do you still remember that not long ago, Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng successively announced their withdrawal from the world rankings and WTT events? This decision caused a sensation in the table tennis world. As the chairman of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, Liu Guoliang stepped forward at this time. In an interview with CCTV, he expressed his respect and understanding for the decisions of the two players and made a promise that filled people with hope.
"As the chairman of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, I will fully support the athletes in defending their own rights," said Liu Guoliang, his words filled with firmness and determination. He mentioned that he fully understands and respects the decisions of Fan Zhendong, Chen Meng, and Ma Long, and at the same time, he also raised some questions about certain rules of the WTT.
When CCTV reporter Li Wu asked if they could see the three of them on the international stage in the future, Liu Guoliang gave a clear answer: "Of course! With their achievements and contributions, I believe they can participate in any major event with a wild card."
This statement immediately aroused a strong response among fans. Many people interpreted this as a firm commitment by Liu Guoliang to the three players, believing that as long as they are willing, they can participate in any international event with a wild card.
However, as fate would have it, just as Liu Guoliang's words were still ringing in our ears, the participation details of the Doha World Table Tennis Championships were quietly announced, and these details seemed to deviate subtly from Liu Guoliang's promise.
According to the latest news on the official website of the International Table Tennis Federation, the 58th World Table Tennis Championships will be held in Doha, Qatar from May 17 to 25, 2025. This is a feast that gathers top table tennis players from around the world, with fierce competition in every draw.
However, when fans carefully read the participation details, they discovered a disappointing fact: among the 128 draws for men's and women's singles and 64 pairs of draws for men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles, there were no names of Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng.
This news undoubtedly poured cold water on fans who were looking forward to their comeback. Especially for Chen Meng, the veteran who will celebrate her 31st birthday on January 15 and is only one World Table Tennis Championship women's singles title away from a grand slam. She has stood on the court countless times, fighting hard for that coveted championship. However, failing to participate in this event with a wild card undoubtedly adds a touch of regret to her table tennis career.
In contrast, Fan Zhendong's situation is slightly different. As the first super grand slam winner in the history of world table tennis, he has already won many singles titles, and his personal achievements are already brilliant enough. For him, table tennis is more about love and reluctance. However, even so, the news that he could not participate in this World Table Tennis Championships still made many fans feel sorry.
It is worth mentioning that in the participation details of this World Table Tennis Championships, there was no mention of the eligibility for wild card players to participate. This means that the possibility of "participating with a wild card" mentioned by Liu Guoliang in the interview did not become a reality.
This change not only surprised the fans but also put Liu Guoliang's promise to the test of reality. Many fans began to question whether it was because of certain reasons that Liu Guoliang could not fulfill his promise.
However, no matter what the truth is, we cannot change this fact: Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng will be absent from this Doha World Table Tennis Championships. This regret not only belongs to the two of them but also to the fans who were looking forward to their comeback. However, life is always full of the unknown and variables, and perhaps one day in the future, we can still see them sweating on the court.
In addition to the absence of Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng, there are many other highlights worth paying attention to in this Doha World Table Tennis Championships. For example, Wang Chuqin appeared as an Asian player representative in the C position of the promotional photo, and his performance will undoubtedly become one of the highlights of this competition. At the same time, players from other countries and regions will also strive for honor, presenting us with exciting matches.
In addition, there is a small episode worth mentioning. In the meeting where the International Table Tennis Federation and the Qatar Table Tennis Association negotiated important matters for the Doha World Table Tennis Championships, Liu Guoliang, as the first vice-chairman of the International Table Tennis Federation, did not appear. This news also triggered speculation and discussion from the outside world. However, no matter whether Liu Guoliang attended this meeting or not, we hope that he can continue to contribute his strength to the development of Chinese table tennis and lead the Chinese table tennis team to achieve better results on the international stage.
Looking back on the entire incident, we can't help but sigh at the impermanence of the world. However, it is precisely these unknowns and variables that make life wonderful and rich. We regret the absence of Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng; but at the same time, we also look forward to other players showing their strength and style in the Doha World Table Tennis Championships. May every player strive for their dreams and present us with unforgettable table tennis feasts. As fans, we may not be able to change certain facts, but we can choose to view everything with a more tolerant and understanding attitude. After all, in the sport of table tennis, every swing and every run condenses the hard work and sweat of the players. Whether they can stand on the highest podium or not, we should send them our most sincere blessings and encouragement.