The Triumphant Return: Fan Zhendong & Chen Meng Set to Dominate World Table Tennis Again!

The world of table tennis is about to witness a seismic shift. After months of speculation and uncertainty, Chinese superstars Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng are set to make their highly anticipated return to the world stage. With WTT’s recent decision to drop the mandatory participation requirement, the two Olympic champions now have the freedom to compete on their own terms, ensuring they can deliver the kind of table tennis that fans crave—fast, fierce, and electrifying!

A New Era of Competition

The changes in WTT’s policies mark a turning point in elite table tennis. For years, the grueling schedule placed immense pressure on top players, often forcing them into physically taxing tournaments without adequate rest. Now, with greater flexibility and better financial incentives, Fan and Chen can focus on peak performance, ensuring that every match they play is at their absolute best.

What does this mean for fans?
A fresher, hungrier, and more dominant Fan Zhendong. A refocused and unstoppable Chen Meng. The world’s most elite players are returning, ready to reclaim their positions at the top of the rankings.

Fan Zhendong: The King is Back!

Few players have mesmerized audiences the way Fan Zhendong has. Known for his explosive forehand, rock-solid backhand, and unreal reflexes, he has dominated world table tennis for years. However, the brutal tournament schedule took a toll on his body, forcing him to step away temporarily.

Now, with a revamped mindset and the time to properly prepare, Fan Zhendong is back to destroy the competition. Expect to see the return of his lightning-fast counters, impossible angle shots, and relentless pressure play that made him a fan favorite.

Who will challenge him? Ma Long is nearing the end of his legendary career, Tomokazu Harimoto and Wang Chuqin are rising, but a well-rested and laser-focused Fan Zhendong could once again set the standard for men’s table tennis.

Chen Meng: The Queen’s Grand Comeback

Chen Meng, the Olympic gold medalist and former world No. 1, has always been a force to be reckoned with. Her mastery of the short game, precise shot placement, and tactical intelligence made her one of the most feared players on the circuit.

But with injuries and the relentless tournament grind wearing her down, she made the tough decision to step back. Now, with WTT’s policy changes allowing her to return with a balanced schedule, Chen Meng is back—stronger, wiser, and more motivated than ever.

Her return brings a thrilling new chapter in women’s table tennis. With Sun Yingsha still in dominant form and Wang Manyu pushing the limits, the battle for women’s supremacy will be one for the ages.

More Best-of-Seven Matches = More Drama!

WTT’s potential move to incorporate more best-of-seven matches means that players like Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng will have more opportunities to showcase their grit, adaptability, and mental toughness. Fans can expect epic comebacks, longer rallies, and unforgettable duels as these table tennis titans go head-to-head with the best in the world.

What’s Next?

With $1 million in additional prize money, the stakes are higher than ever. The next three WTT Grand Smashes will be more than just tournaments—they will be battlegrounds where Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng seek to reclaim their crowns.

The countdown has begun. The world is watching.
Table tennis is about to get electrifying once again.

Are you ready? 🔥🏓

Table Tennis getting younger?

Are pre-teens and teens taking over the world of Table Tennis?

At the world level, you have Fan Zhendong, who started winning elite events before the age of 17. There is a new crop in China. Yu Zhiyang, Liang Jingkun, have already beaten the very best. They just need to show consistency now. Yu has won the Asian and World Juniors in addition to a World Tour (formerly Pro tour) event.

In Regional events, you see several youngsters beating seasoned players. In India, we have several players in their teens and very early twenties. So what does this all mean?

Table Tennis has become an extremely physical sports, where fitness is of prime importance. Coaches at the elite level now focus on using the whole body instead of just parts of the body. Is it time to change the rules? Definitely time to think!

Xu Xin is the World No. 1 Table Tennis player

Charismatic left-handed Chinese Table Tennis player, Xu Xin is the new World No. 1 in Table Tennis. He has leaped places to occupy the pride of place in the January World Table Tennis Ranking list published by ITTF.

Xu won many points by taking the Grand Finals title and also earned handsome bonus points, without which it would not have been possible to overtake the World and Olympic Table Tennis Champion, Zhang Jike. It may be recalled that Xu Xin attended the London Olympics, but only as a P-card holder. His results seemed subdued just before and after the Olympics, probably partly due to the disappointment of not being chosen in the core team (eventually Zhang Jike, Wang Hao, and Ma Long). However, the spectacular event seemed to have done good to his motivation and he is now back in action. Critics attribute his recent success to playing more near the table. He beat veteran Wang Hao in the Grand Finals.

Xu Xin's best performances so far have been the World Tour (formerly called Pro Tour) events, where he has already amassed titles and is closing in on the round number 10. Other than this, he has Gold medals in the Team and Doubles at the World Championship level.

Xu Xin endorses the Stiga brand of Table Tennis equipment and has a couple of impressive videos produced by the company, which you can watch here:


Yes, stylish indeed! He reportedly uses a Stiga Rosewood as his blade and Stiga Calibra LT for his backhand and DHS Neo Skyline TG3 for his forehand.

Xu Xin (was born in Jiangsu, China on January 8, 1990. Although he is just 23 years old, he has spent considerable time in the Chinese squad.

His name in Chinese simplified is 许昕, and traditional 許昕

Here's a tribute by XuXin111 on Youtube:

China to set up Table Tennis Center in Europe

The no. 1 force in World Table Tennis, China, will set up a Table Tennis training center in Europe to help in developing the sport.

England's national coach for over 20 years, Liu Jiayi, expressed hope that they will set up the center in England and said that they were in advanced talks with the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA).

Sharath Kamal goes down to Timo Boll

Just when you thought that Sharath was done playing with the cream of World Table Tennis, he had a go at Timo Boll a couple of days back. If you tickle your memory, you will remember that he just played Ma Lin at the Hungarian Pro Tour just recently.

Unfortunately, Sharath lost 8-11, 9-11, 8-11 to the ever-consistent and huge star from Germany. Sharath plays for SV Werder Bremen and Timo plays for Borussia Dusseldorf.