A secret ritual of some sort

dean gochev Asked 8 years ago

Hi, Alois. Hi, Jeff.

Okay, this could turn out to be a truly weird question. Anyway, I'm just too curious to pass it up.

I've noticed table tennis players, in between points and usually after long rallies, going towards the net and placing the palm of their dominant hand squarely on the table right by the net for a few seconds, and then returning back to their serving/receiving position to resume the game.

Do you know what I'm talking about it? What's the meaning of this unusual action? A secret ritual of some sort?

Thanks, and please keep up the great work!

Best regards,

Dean Gochev

Bulgaria

Alois Rosario Answered 8 years ago

Hi Dean,

It does look like some sort of secret ritual.

What they are doing is one of two things.  One is that they are ripping the sweat from eh palm of their hands.  Since players are only allowed to use their towels every 6 points, they do this sometimes if their hand becomes a little wet so that they maintain their grip on the handle of their racket.

The second thing is that some players use this as pat of their pre point routine and to buy a little time to process their thoughts before playing the next point.