Recently, the table tennis world has been in an uproar! Big names like Fan Zhendong, Ma Long, and Chen Meng, who are hot favorites for the grand slam titles, have collectively decided to give up their world rankings due to new regulations from the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). This unprecedented move in the international table tennis arena has left many fans both regretful and puzzled: why are these top athletes willing to relinquish their hard-earned world rankings? Is this a painful transition from rule "revolution," or is it a complete disaster? With the introduction of the new rules and the protests from top athletes, the table tennis world seems to be facing a storm. In fact, these top athletes are busy dropping their rankings not because their competitive form has declined, but because of the "high load" imposed by the new rules. The ITTF requires players to participate in more matches throughout the year; otherwise, they will face fines or even harsher penalties. At first glance, this seems somewhat akin to a "996" schedule, which the players' bodies cannot endure! For Fan Zhendong, this "withdrawal from ranking" was also a helpless move, but it did not affect his outstanding performance on the court. At the Paris Olympics, Fan Zhendong sealed his legend with a series of remarkable performances. He first defeated Japanese star Tomokazu Harimoto with lightning speed and then overcame Swedish rising star Truls Moregard in the final, breaking through layers of obstacles to successfully win the Olympic singles championship. Moreover, this victory made him a historic figure…

In the world of Chinese table tennis, Xu Xin has always been known for his professionalism and team spirit. Recently, he has become a focus of public attention due to two incidents - defending his teammate Fan Zhendong and engaging in a verbal exchange with the 68-year-old former national table tennis world champion Guo Yuehua. These events not only demonstrate Xu Xin's professional qualities as an athlete but also reveal some subtle relationships within the sports circle. At the beginning of 2025, when Fan Zhendong announced his withdrawal from the world rankings, media attention on the Olympic champion surged. During a post-match interview, journalists bombarded Fan Zhendong with questions while ignoring other team members. Faced with such intense and sharp inquiries, Fan Zhendong appeared somewhat at a loss. At this moment, Xu Xin, as a teammate, stepped forward to cleverly shift the topic, suggesting that reporters pay attention to Zhou Kai, who had also performed well but was less frequently mentioned. This approach reflects Xu Xin's support and understanding for his teammates. As an experienced veteran, he knows that continuous questioning can bring additional pressure to young players. Therefore, in the live broadcast room, Xu Xin explained, "When interviewing, one question after another has quite an impact on athletes." He realized that at that time, Xiao Pang (Fan Zhendong) did not want to continue answering those tricky questions, so he chose to control the rhythm appropriately, allowing the other party to relax a bit. However, Xu Xin's goodwill did not receive universal recognition. Especially during a handshake incident at an…

In the arena of table tennis, where tradition meets modernity and passion intertwines with wisdom, every change in rules can spark extensive discussions and profound impacts. Recently, a new regulation introduced by WTT (World Table Tennis), the commercial entity under the International Table Tennis Federation, has caused ripples akin to a stone thrown into a lake, stirring not only the nerves of athletes but also prompting deep reflections from all sectors of society on athlete rights, sportsmanship, and the commercialization of events. I. The Outbreak of Controversy: The Introduction of New Rules and Athlete Protests At the heart of the WTT's new regulations is the requirement that athletes must participate in its commercial events or face hefty fines, with no exceptions except for physical reasons. This stipulation feels like a tight-fitting curse to many athletes, causing them to feel restrained and unfairly treated. Two top Chinese national team players, Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng, as pioneers of the protest, resolutely chose to withdraw from the world rankings to express their dissatisfaction and resistance to the new rules. Their actions are not only a defense of their personal rights but also a courageous voice against the current state of table tennis. II. The Escalation of Events: Multiple Responses and Heightened Controversy As athlete protests escalated, WTT quickly responded, but its explanations failed to quell public outrage. An in-depth investigation by CCTV News further exposed various issues in WTT's commercial operations, such as the huge gap between ticket revenue and prize money, and the indifference towards athlete injuries. The plight of Nigerian…

Recently, our table tennis national treasure Fan Zhendong was "played" by the Beijing Daily due to the leak of his identity information. This incident really makes people feel mixed emotions. Back in the day, Fan Zhendong shed sweat on the court and brought glory to the country, with a heroic and refreshing appearance that is still vivid in our minds. Who would have thought that such an Olympic champion with outstanding achievements would suffer the embarrassment of having his identity information leaked? What's even more infuriating is that the Beijing Daily, as an official media outlet, not only failed to handle this matter seriously but instead played word games, jokingly asking "How do you say 'apology' in English?" followed by "So what?" This is like pouring salt on the hearts of fans! As for the reporter from the Beijing Daily, is he psychologically twisted or simply jealous of Fan Zhendong? We don't know for sure. But one thing is certain: such behavior is a violation of journalistic ethics and disrespectful to Fan Zhendong. After all, Fan Zhendong is the pride of our table tennis world; each of his victories is condensed with countless sweat and tears. Now, to be mocked like this, how can it not make people feel cold? Netizens are also discussing this issue, some accusing the Beijing Daily reporter of low quality, while others suspect that this reporter is a fan of the top national table tennis player and is willing to mock Fan Zhendong to protect their idol. Some netizens even dug up old accounts, saying…

It seems that everyone has noticed a change in the public perception of Liu Guoliang since the "Three Musketeers" stepped down from the stage. His reputation, once characterized by the phrase "anyone can do it," has shifted to a more cautious and uncertain stance. One might conclude that Liu Guoliang's actual coaching and management abilities are lower than his own self-perception. Perhaps he was just lucky to have encountered the "Three Musketeers" during a period of great fortune for the national table tennis team, leading him to believe that the team was invincible and that anyone could become a world champion. However, reality has proven otherwise, especially after Fan Zhendong announced his withdrawal from the WTT world rankings, which significantly increased the public pressure on Liu Guoliang. Take, for example, the opening ceremony of the Ping Pong Super League Finals on December 30, 2024. When the host introduced Liu Guoliang, there were noticeable boos from the audience. Moreover, the live broadcast chat was filled with calls for Liu Guoliang to step down and be investigated. So, how did Liu Guoliang and the national table tennis team end up in their current state in just a few short years? It all started with the men's singles round of 16 at the Paris Olympics. For many, July 31, 2024, is a memorable day. It not only exposed Liu Guoliang's cognitive errors but also served as a wake-up call to those who care about table tennis, revealing that the future of the national team is not as smooth sailing as previously thought. Let's…

Fan Zhendong's withdrawal from the WTT has caused a stir among fans. It is understandable since he is a grand slam player in table tennis, and everyone is accustomed to seeing him compete fiercely on the international stage. However, this withdrawal is not an ordinary withdrawal, as his "commercial value" seems to be more eye-catching than the matches themselves. We must talk about his collaboration with Major League Baseball (MLB). MLB is no small player; it is one of the four major sports leagues in the United States, ranking just below the NFL (National Football League), and its status in the global sports circle cannot be ignored. Baseball does not have as large an audience in Asia as football or basketball, but MLB is targeting this "blue ocean" market, especially countries and regions like China, Japan, and South Korea. Look at this: MLB actually approached Fan Zhendong, which is no simple matter. Although he is a table tennis player, his influence in the Chinese market is not insignificant. After becoming the Asian ambassador for MLB, Fan Zhendong not only received exorbitant endorsement fees, but even the Los Angeles Tourism Bureau took notice of him, inviting him to watch a Los Angeles Dodgers game. This is truly a demonstration of "superstar effect," as the Los Angeles Dodgers are six-time World Series champions and are the top presence in MLB! Even if Fan Zhendong appears at such events only as a spectator, it makes people feel that he has become a "celebrity outside the circle" rather than just a top player in…

Translation of the content: Hey, fellow table tennis fans, have you recently been bombarded by a big news in the table tennis world? Yes, it's about two table tennis giants, Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng, who suddenly announced their withdrawal from international rankings. This incident is like a "ping pong bomb," instantly exploding the entire public opinion field. Today, let's talk about this matter, take a look at the story behind it, as well as how the Table Tennis Association (TTA) and World Table Tennis (WTT) are caught in the whirlpool of public opinion. To say that Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng's withdrawal is not a small matter. They are both top players in the table tennis world, with solid skills. This sudden move has really set off a storm among fans. The comment section is buzzing with accusations, doubts, and regrets, all sorts of reactions. Some fans say, "Are these two people out of their minds? Why give up a good ranking for this?" Other fans say, "Is there any foul play in the TTA and WTT? Did they push our heroes to the brink?" This wave of public opinion is relentless. Renowned media personality He Xiaolong even joked, "Even at its least popular, the Chinese Football Association wasn't this bad." Upon hearing this, the fans exploded even more, saying, "Shouldn't the TTA and WTT also learn from the football association and straighten up their act?" As for the impact of this withdrawal on the Super League and WTT New Year events, it's significant. Originally, fans were looking forward…

The story of Wang Tianyi is like a shooting star across the night sky of table tennis. She never thought that she would become famous because of a transition shot, but this unexpected surprise has allowed more people to get to know this athlete with unique charm. In Jinan, a city with a long history, Wang Tianyi's childhood was always accompanied by the crisp sound of table tennis. She often followed her brother to the gym to watch him practice, not knowing at the time that this sport would completely change the trajectory of her life. When the coach first let her pick up a racket, her small hands could not fully grasp it, but she showed surprising talent. The racket in her hands seemed to come alive, and every move was so natural and smooth. Her parents originally hoped that she could study and learn like other children, but seeing her passion and talent for table tennis, they eventually supported her choice. This decision opened up a completely different life for a four-year-old girl. Shandong Luneng Club was the first important starting point of her career. Here, she met many excellent coaches and teammates. Although the daily training was tough, she enjoyed it. At fourteen, Wang Tianyi appeared particularly young when she entered the national team. She often observed the skills of other players during training breaks, trying to learn more techniques from them. High-intensity training made her skills soar, but it also brought a huge burden to her body. Knee and wrist injuries began to quietly trouble her.…

Ongoing Fermentation! Fan Zhendong Appears on CCTV13, Supported by CCTV Journalists, Liu Guoliang Makes First Appearance After Controversy At the end of 2024, two giants of Chinese table tennis, Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng, withdrew from the world rankings! What caused them to make such a surprising move? The answer quickly surfaced: the "tyrannical clause" introduced by the World Table Tennis Professional League (WTT), which not only focuses on money but also excessively exploits athletes. In response, CCTV13 rarely intervened, and even CCTV journalists directly pointed out the numerous problems with WTT. Meanwhile, Liu Guoliang, who holds multiple positions, made his first public appearance, yet did not mention the controversy at all. This global table tennis storm, how will it evolve? How will Liu Guoliang balance the interests of all parties? The focus of the controversy: Is the new WTT rule reasonable? The cause of the matter originated from a recent regulation issued by the World Table Tennis Professional League (WTT). This regulation, under the name of "standardization," imposed strict restrictions on the participation behavior of athletes. Specifically, unless due to health issues, athletes are not allowed to unilaterally absent themselves from WTT events, otherwise they will face huge fines. At the same time, if athletes participate in non-WTT competitions during WTT events, they will also be punished. The introduction of this regulation is very unfriendly to top players like Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng. Their event schedules are usually formulated by the national team as a whole, and individuals find it difficult to have complete control. If this regulation…

Fan Zhendong's name is destined to be recorded in the history of world table tennis! This refers not only to the various honors Fan Zhendong has won, but also his courageous action of leading the withdrawal from the world rankings and WTT events. As the men's singles champion of the Paris Olympics, Fan Zhendong suddenly announced his "withdrawal" decision at the end of 2024, triggering high attention from across the country and even the global table tennis community. Subsequently, Chen Meng, the women's singles champion of the Paris Olympics, and Ma Long, the Olympic "six-time gold medalist," also withdrew from the world rankings and WTT events one after another. Apart from Ma Long's main reason for withdrawing being related to personal retirement, Chen Meng's withdrawal was for the same reason as Fan Zhendong's, both expressing dissatisfaction with the new rule imposed by WTT that "non-participation will result in fines." With Fan Zhendong's brave act, support has come not only from many domestic official media, numerous table tennis fans, but also from several foreign association players. Now, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has also become involved, set to review the existing regulations of WTT. Not only has a five-person investigation team been established, but Liu Guoliang has also been excluded. To fully understand the development of this incident, let's start with Fan Zhendong's official announcement of withdrawal. At the end of 2024, Fan Zhendong, a super grand slam player and men's singles champion of the Paris Olympics, suddenly announced on social media that he would proactively withdraw from the world…