In the world of table tennis, every move can attract the wide attention of fans. Recently, three top players from the national team - Fan Zhendong, Chen Meng, and Ma Long - have announced their withdrawal from the WTT (World Table Tennis) world rankings, a decision that has sent shockwaves through the sport. What lies behind this collective withdrawal of these top athletes? Is it a desperate measure or a well-thought-out strategic adjustment? This article will delve deep into the mystery surrounding this event. I. National Table Tennis Stars Unite to Leave Rankings, Causing Tremors in the Sport Since Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng announced their withdrawal from the WTT world rankings on their personal social media accounts, the incident has continued to ferment and become a hot topic of discussion in the table tennis community. As leaders of the national team, every decision they make touches the hearts of countless fans. The subsequent statement released by the World Table Tennis Association (WTT) further escalated the event. Fan Zhendong's response to this statement, as well as the various reactions from other association athletes and netizens, has made the entire incident akin to a drama series, continuously capturing people's attention. In fact, as early as the day the complete WTT schedule for 2025 was announced, Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng received documents about withdrawing from ITTF-approved events and submitted their signatures on the same day. Surprisingly, Ma Long had already signed and submitted his documents before them. The collective actions of these three national table tennis stars undoubtedly brought unprecedented shock…

The WTT World Table Tennis Association released a video titled "Please receive the New Year's greetings from the Chinese Table Tennis Team." In the video, eight main players of the national table tennis team, including Wang Chuqin, Sun Yingsha, Wang Manyu, and Lin Shidong, appeared. However, Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng were not seen, nor was Ma Long present. Does this mean that they are no longer part of the national team just because they withdrew from the world rankings? This kind of differential treatment is really speechless. Not long ago, Fan Zhendong announced his withdrawal from the world rankings first. After winning the grand slam, Fan Zhendong had no worries. Faced with the WTT rule that non-participation would result in fines, Fan Zhendong did not comply but bravely became a lone warrior, becoming the first to announce his withdrawal from the world rankings. Subsequently, Chen Meng followed Fan Zhendong's footsteps and also announced her withdrawal from the world rankings. Ma Long was the third, but he chose a relatively mild way to withdraw without issuing a statement, giving face to the national team and Liu Guoliang. In theory, although all three have withdrawn from the world rankings, this does not mean they have left the national team; these are not equivalent actions. However, on the occasion of the New Year, the WTT World Table Tennis Association seems to be deliberately separating them from the national team. The New Year's greeting video features eight national table tennis players, including Sun Yingsha, Wang Chuqin, Kuai Man, Lin Shidong, Wang Manyu, Wang…

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…

Recently, the table tennis world has been in turmoil due to the announcements from Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng that they will be withdrawing from the world rankings, drawing significant attention from fans. In their statements, both Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng expressed the immense psychological toll and physical exhaustion they experienced during their preparations for the Paris Olympics, which has left them unable to participate in WTT events at present. Chen Meng further elaborated that throughout the high-intensity preparations for the Paris cycle, she faced tremendous pressure, and as the intensity increased, so did the injuries, making the entire process exceptionally arduous. As a result, after the Paris Olympics, both Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng opted for extended periods of rest and have now decided to withdraw from the world rankings. However, during the preparations for the Paris Olympics, two individuals endured even greater fatigue and exhaustion than Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng. These two athletes, Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin, despite their extreme weariness, could not express it, nor dare they do so. Since entering the Paris Olympic cycle, Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin were entrusted with the crucial task of reclaiming the lost mixed doubles gold medal at the Paris Olympics. At the Houston World Table Tennis Championships, Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin took on three events each, with Sun Yingsha, in particular, participating in three events and reaching the finals in all of them. She won the mixed doubles and women's doubles titles but fell short in the most significant women's singles final, losing 2:4 to…

This evening, the final of the Ping Pong Super League concluded with Shandong Luneng winning the women's team championship and Shandong Weiqiao securing the men's team title. However, the biggest winner was not the two clubs from Shandong but Liu Guoliang, the head of the national table tennis team. His two protégés, Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha, both delivered outstanding performances in the competition, bringing honor to Liu Guoliang and gradually dissipating the controversy surrounding Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng's withdrawal. Prior to the final stage of this Ping Pong Super League, two Olympic heroes, Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng, issued a statement announcing their forced withdrawal from international rankings. This incident generated immense public pressure, making Liu Guoliang, the head of the national table tennis team, the target of intense criticism. In fact, the forced withdrawal of Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng from international rankings marked their departure from the national team, which is quite rare in the history of the national table tennis team. In comparison, since the women's team has many renowned players, the impact of Chen Meng's withdrawal was not as significant. The men's team, however, was already experiencing a shortage of talent, and Fan Zhendong, being in his prime, raised concerns about the future competitiveness of the men's team. In such circumstances, the performance of Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha, Liu Guoliang's two protégés, during the Ping Pong Super League finals drew significant attention. Both are currently the most popular and sought-after national table tennis players by fans, and they are also representatives of Liu…

When top table tennis players Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng chose to withdraw from the world rankings, the news was akin to dropping a bombshell. What roles did the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and the World Table Tennis Professional League (WTT) play in this turmoil? The Anger of World Champions: Behind the Glory and Sudden Exit Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng, one is the world number one and Olympic champion, the other a Grand Slam winner. Why did they resolutely withdraw from the world rankings at the peak of their careers? Is it a helpless counterattack against an unfair system, or are they completely disillusioned with the current professional environment? On the surface, this seems like a personal choice, but delving deeper reveals a battle between athletes and international organizations over interests and rules. CCTV journalist Li Wujun struck at the heart of the matter: "WTT cannot establish its authority at the expense of athletes' rights." Liu Guoliang, in his interview, did not hold back on this point. He admitted that some unreasonable rules within WTT do need adjustment, but as the chairman of the WTT board and first vice-chairman of ITTF, he also has to balance various interests. Silent Exploitation Under the Rules: Why Have Athletes Become Sacrificial Lambs? Netizens' discussions about the incident are filled with anger and questioning: "Is WTT a 'bandit' organization?" "Why must athletes, who have dedicated their youth and bodies to competitions, bear these unequal treaties?" The core of the issue is not just the withdrawal of Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng, but…

Recently, the International Table Tennis Federation announced the latest world rankings, with a notable development being the formal withdrawal of three main players from the Chinese national table tennis team - Fan Zhendong, Chen Meng, and Ma Long - from the world rankings. This news not only marks the temporary end of their international competitive careers but has also sparked intense discussion and reflection among netizens. Fan Zhendong, the 27-year-old ball enthusiast, has achieved remarkable success on the international stage with his outstanding skills and tenacious fighting spirit. However, after successfully completing his mission at the Paris Olympics, he faces significant psychological exhaustion and has yet to plan his future career path. The new regulations imposed by the World Table Tennis (WTT) – imposing fines for non-participation – present a heavy burden for Fan Zhendong, who has not yet made a decision. Ultimately, he chose to withdraw from the world rankings but made it clear that he would not retire. Similarly, 30-year-old Chen Meng faces similar difficulties. As an outstanding player in women's table tennis, she is unable to bear the intensity of every high-level competition due to health reasons, and the new WTT regulations have added to her challenges. After weighing the pros and cons, Chen Meng also decided to withdraw from the world rankings. Ma Long, 36 years old and a veteran of the national team, sees his withdrawal as more of a graceful exit after achieving great success. After winning his sixth gold medal at the Paris Olympics, he hinted that this might be his last participation…

Chen Meng, 30 years old, has withdrawn from the world rankings. In terms of age, it is acceptable for Chen Meng to retire at 30, as female players like Wang Nan, Zhang Yining, and Ding Ning generally faded out of the national table tennis team around the age of 30. However, considering her personal achievements, Chen Meng's withdrawal from the world rankings is regrettable. Why is this so? Chen Meng was only one women's singles championship at the World Championships away from achieving the Grand Slam, and 2025 happens to be the year of the World Championships. If Chen Meng had chosen to persevere, she would at least have had the opportunity to pursue the Grand Slam. But now that she has chosen to withdraw, her dream of the Grand Slam is almost shattered, as she has given up on an opportunity that was within reach, which is indeed regrettable. Can Chen Meng return to the international arena after withdrawing from the world rankings? When fans felt regretful, Liu Guoliang stepped in. Liu Guoliang's official announcement also left a path for Chen Meng, a path to continue her pursuit of the Grand Slam, making it possible once again for Chen Meng to achieve the Grand Slam. Why is this so? As the head of the Table Tennis Association, Liu Guoliang finally spoke out in response to the withdrawals of Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, and Chen Meng during the closing stages of the Super League. It must be said that Liu Guoliang understands public opinion well. Although he is the dual…

Translation of the article content into English: On December 31st at 16:05 Beijing time, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) released the world rankings for the 53rd week of 2024, which also marked the last issue of the year. Notably absent from this latest ranking list were two prominent Chinese table tennis players, Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng, as well as Olympic six-time gold medalist Ma Long, who have all been officially removed. Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng recently announced their withdrawal from the world ranking system due to dissatisfaction with WTT's non-participation penalty rules. WTT responded by expressing regret and disappointment over their decision but tacitly acknowledged that the "two recent Olympic singles champions leaving the world ranking system" had become a reality. Today marks the last day of 2024 and the final release date for the ITTF world rankings this year. According to tradition, WTT and ITTF should announce the latest world rankings at 8 am. However, the latest world rankings were only released at 4:05 pm, indicating that many efforts made during the eight-hour delay ultimately bore no fruit, and everything is moving forward irreversibly. Indeed, on the newly released world ranking list, both Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng's names, points, and rankings have been removed. Ma Long, who had not previously publicly declared his exit, has also disappeared from this issue's world rankings. It is unclear whether his departure was voluntary or enforced. Fan Zhendong's last world ranking stands at 6th in the world in the 52nd week of 2024. Chen Meng's last world ranking is…

On December 31, 2024, the International Table Tennis Federation updated the world rankings, and the names of Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, and Chen Meng disappeared from the list. The Chinese Table Tennis Association released a statement saying that it understands and respects their decision, has handled the relevant procedures, and will fully support their subsequent development, ensuring their good condition in training and domestic competitions, regardless of whether they return to the international arena. These three are the pillars of the national table tennis team! Ma Long is a Grand Slam winner with Olympic gold medals in 2016 and 2021, known for his stable playing style and comprehensive skills. Fan Zhendong bravely won the men's singles and team gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, demonstrating his strong abilities. Chen Meng also won the women's singles gold medal in 2021 and 2024, being one of the core players of the women's team. Their withdrawal from the world rankings is really unexpected. In fact, Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng had previously posted about their withdrawal, mainly due to physical and mental exhaustion after the Paris Olympics, coupled with the new WTT withdrawal fine regulations, which put too much pressure on them. Although Ma Long did not make a public statement, he had previously indicated that he might no longer participate in international events. This incident has caused quite a stir among fans. Some fans feel very sorry, as they will no longer be able to see their wonderful performances on the international stage, leaving a void in their hearts. Other fans…