Last updated 6 years ago
Hey PingSkills,
I want to know who you and Jeff, (and the new guy in the videos) rate as your favourite player and why. My favourite player is Timo Boll because i like his style of play, big topspins from the middle court.
Hi Tevia,
Great question! My favourite player is Waldner. I used to love watching him play because of his diversity. He had a great all round game and could play any stroke in the book. He was also considered by many to be the greatest male player ever.
We'd love to hear the thoughts of all our readers. Let us know who is your favourite player and why.
Become a free member to post a comment about this question.
Ji-Soo Woo Posted 13 years ago
chip Phatak Posted 13 years ago
Hung Diep Posted 13 years ago
christian larsson Posted 13 years ago
Oscar Martinez Posted 13 years ago
No doubt, Waldner is the best ever!!
But I enjoy watching Wang Li Quin. His perfection of movements is amazing. It is the meaning of power top and side back spins.
Samuel Lim Posted 13 years ago
my favourites from 1 being the best and 10 still being a favorite but not as much as the others
1. Jan-Ove Waldner
2. Ma Long
3. Ma Lin
4. Ryu Seung Min
5. Timo Boll
6. Wang Hao
7. Wang Liqin
8. Joo Se-Hyuk
9. Kalinikos Kreanga
10. Vladimir Samsonov
Sam Quek Posted 13 years ago
Thomas McCann Posted 13 years ago
Asif Ali Posted 13 years ago
usman rauf Posted 13 years ago
andrew brand Posted 13 years ago
Curtis Lewis Posted 13 years ago
Hari Krishnan Posted 13 years ago
Rahul Ramesh Posted 13 years ago
I too like Ma Long because of his forehand loops......very consistent !!!
Reuel Toledo Posted 13 years ago
Judah Cagas Posted 13 years ago
ma long is my fav player because of his fast loops
Judah Cagas Posted 13 years ago
i changed my mind my fav already is wang liqin.....and ma long will be my no.2
Tim Sodelund Posted 12 years ago
1.Ma Lin=Fast and very very very great.
2.Wang Hao=Very good spin and also fast and very good at the rally.
3.Jan Ove Waldner=Great lober and also fast.
john jhn Posted 12 years ago
i like waldner very much
does any body his blade and rubbers
john john Posted 12 years ago
Judah Cagas Posted 12 years ago
Tim Sodelund Posted 12 years ago
Judah Cagas Posted 12 years ago
Karlo Perhat Posted 12 years ago
Ian Costello Posted 12 years ago
dale cagas Posted 12 years ago
Tim Sodelund Posted 12 years ago
Yes i am a penholder but as a beginner it was the shakehand grip. The all start wen i was 6 my friend with was chinese he told my that there is another style of play and i in my head:Wwwwhhhhhaaaaattttt!
I like the penholder grip because.
It is a lot easyer for to play.
Short an simple. Wen i took the play seriously is wen i began to penholders in play like Ma Lin and Wang Hao. Thats all Judah.
Tim Sodelund Posted 12 years ago
Sorry for the misses i was stresst.
dale cagas Posted 12 years ago
dale cagas Posted 12 years ago
dale cagas Posted 12 years ago
Justin Lance Posted 12 years ago
Sivaraman Sankar Posted 12 years ago
jorgenn persson
anthony pham Posted 12 years ago
Oliver Posted 12 years ago
Ian Costello Posted 12 years ago
Here's my vote:
1. Ma Lin [by far]
2.Timo Boll
@ 3. Simon Gerada
[P.S: if I spelled Simon Gerada wrong, tell me!
THX
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
Ian,
You have spelled it perfectly.
Ian Costello Posted 12 years ago
Let me do it again............
1.Ma Lin
2.Pau Gerell
3.Wang Hao
4.Simon Gerada
&5.Ma Long.
Abdullahi Nuur Posted 12 years ago
Julio Torres Posted 12 years ago
my favourites players are:
1 Vladimir Samsonov
2 Ma Long
3 Kalinikos kreanga
4 Timo Boll
5 Zhang Jike
And of course my all time favourite iss.... JAN-OVE WALDNER
Saketh R Posted 12 years ago
My favourite players are
Jun mizutani
Timoboll
Abdullahi Nuur Posted 12 years ago
moataz liontoxicator Posted 12 years ago
Shripathi ramakrishnan Posted 12 years ago
my favourite players are:
1. J.O . Waldner
2.Werner Schlager
3.William Henzell
4.Jorgen Persson
joshnathan llorente Posted 12 years ago
Atanas Atanasov Posted 12 years ago
Zhang Jike and Ma Long
Galen Corvan- Hughes Posted 11 years ago
My favourites in order are:
1.Ma Lin
2.Alois Rosario
3.Ma Long
4. Timo Boll
5.Jeff Plumb
6.JO Waldner
7.Wang Hao
And more....
joe britnell Posted 11 years ago
my favourite player at the moment is Ma Long, he has hit some superb shots, and of course who would go against the world number 1, but waldner has achieved so much. if i had to chose a european player, without a doubt it would be timo, i just love his fairplay attitude, whether it costs him the match or not, fairplay is the way to play.and his shots are awesome, hes great off both wings and can change hands to play a forehand with his right hand, which i greatly admire, so much so im practising that myself right at this time, as a trick shot if my percentage to win the point is limited. But the whole of the chinese national team have their own quaities which i like, so keep it up, just wish the europeans could catch them
pouyer - Posted 11 years ago
Hi
My favourite player is Vladimir Samsonov
I really enjoy from his playing...
AmekunRaiane Rivadeneira Posted 11 years ago
I like michael maze for his reverse pendulum serve :) gr8 serve looks like the same motion but different effect
AmekunRaiane Rivadeneira Posted 11 years ago
let me add another 1
Kenta Matsudaira
FH BH Tomahawk Serve very awesome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2eZJLQ8m7I&feature=colike
Oliver Posted 11 years ago
just asking jeff, but have you actually played waldner (even in friendly hits)?
Samuel Lim Posted 11 years ago
Actually I made a new list of favourite players..
1. Jan Ove Waldner
2. Liu Gouliang
3. Ma Lin
4. Xu Xin
5. Ma Long
6. Wang Liqin
7. Ryu Seung Min
8. Wang Hao
9. Joo Se Hyuk
10. Chen Qi
I made the nw list because my old one which is found in the previous comments have players that I wasn't able to catch up on. :). still Waldner is my number one fav..
jolly tabletennis Posted 11 years ago
mat huang Posted 11 years ago
Fan of Joo se hyuk cuz i love when he is doing a rally on chops and then come back with a undefendable smash
Ma long 2nd
Galen Corvan- Hughes Posted 11 years ago
Ma long
Samsonov
Timo Boll
Joo Se Hyuk
Xu Xin
Ma Lin
Lukas Oberbanscheidt Posted 11 years ago
I very like Ma Long because his powerful shots and his placement of his serve. I also like Timo Boll because his huge coverage and his Reverse Pendulum serve. I heard this two players have the most spinny topspins for ever.
Jonathan Huynh Posted 11 years ago
top 5 Fav players of all time are:
1. Ma Long
2. Chen Qi
3. Jan-Ove Waldner
4. Timo Boll
5. Wang Li Qin
I really favour Shakehand grip players. Nothing on the penholders, you guys are awesomely sick! It's just that i like Shakehanders more.
Sorry, Jonathan
Jonathan Huynh Posted 11 years ago
It's a shame am never going to be like them. i'm already in my second year and i can't even produce a decent counterhit. Although, i can do some decence with my topspin against backspin. I know, how is a guy supposed to do a hit like that when he can't even do the first, most basic hit ever!!!! i just placed a board of wood against the table and just practiced on that. It only does backspin and i only topspin it back so question asked!!
'sigh' so so terrible=(
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
If you go to Coburg TTC get involved with the coaching on a Saturday. If you haven't done this already it will be worth trying out.
Jonathan Huynh Posted 11 years ago
sorry alois, i can't because my sister has dancing classes and they last up to 1 1/2 hours from 10 to 11.30. also, i have saturday school too. But i'll be able to go a some thursadys. I'm also getting a robot so i can practice my strokes too.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
The Thursdays will be good too. Just get down there as often as you can and use your time well.
Jonathan Huynh Posted 11 years ago
I sure will!
michmarv mich Posted 11 years ago
MY FAVORITE PLAYER IS ZHANG JIKE BECAUSE OF HIS POWERFUL BACKHAND AND HIS REVERSE PENDULUM SERVE....I ALSO LIKE HIS STYLE ON ALWAYS GOING ON A BACKHAND FLICK....ALTHOUGH MA LONG ALWAYS WINS..ZHANG JIKE GIVES HIM MORE TIME TO BEAT HIM..
Erriza Shalahuddin Posted 11 years ago
Favorite attacker: Kalinikos Kreanga
Favorite all-arounder: Vladimir Samsonov
Favorite defender: Joo Se Hyuk
Favorite style: Timo Boll, Ma Long
Nikhil Bathla Posted 11 years ago
my fav is wang hao because of his attacking skill he is really fast in rpb and forehand topspin
Reynel Obordo Posted 11 years ago
In my opinion JO is the best and hes one of my favorite player, bcoz of his gracefully playing style and hes EPIC serves..hes calm and can read the game
Lukas Oberbanscheidt Posted 11 years ago
Zhuang Zhedong xD
Marian Stang Posted 11 years ago
My favourite player n.1 is Mizutani - for his serve and also smart and strong hits
2. is Ovtcharov - his serve and backhand and he is one of the best players in Europe
and 3. is Wang Hao - his grip of bat and backhand
:)
Jonathan Huynh Posted 11 years ago
okay, here's the update
1. kenta matsudaira
2. timo boll
3. zhang jike
4.kowi niwa
5.ma long
6.jun mizutani
7. michael maze
Joemar Abajay Posted 11 years ago
my favorite player william henzell, I like his versatile backhand technique ^o^
Mohammad Hassan Posted 11 years ago
Mine is joo se hyuk he is the master defender of all time even though I am a attacker I just love watching him play
Ali Zarei Posted 11 years ago
I just love zhang jike,he's so fast and his reverse pendulum is great!
Nathan S Posted 10 years ago
Xu xin, ma long, waldner and alois are my favourite player
Jake Jupson Posted 10 years ago
Ma long and Yan an :)
ali nader Posted 10 years ago
1:timo boll
2:timo boll
3:timo boll
4:timo boll
5:timo boll
swaroop dhulipalla Posted 10 years ago
I like Timo Boll Bcoz of his flawless technique and i really love to see him play
tabletennisman lu Posted 10 years ago
i like ma long and ZHang JIke and Timo ball
Callvin Li Posted 10 years ago
Favourite is Zhang Jike his Backhand is awesome.
Earl Joseph Posted 10 years ago
Timo Boll & Ma long For heir Offensive plays.
Antonio Marquez Posted 10 years ago
Ma Long
Joo Se Hyuk
Wang Hao
Xu Xin
Zhang Jike
Kyle Uy Posted 10 years ago
I really like watching joo se hyuk play, his defense is incredible
i also like zhang jike, he is not that big (like me) but is very fast and well rounded
another player i like is ma long, becuase he is so consistent and his loops are amazing
But my favourite is zhang jike
Furqan Hashmi Posted 10 years ago
Waldner was awesome and ma fav in his primes but now he is 40 +, now i lke ma long but fzd's performance is astonishing...
Ayesha Noon Posted 10 years ago
My top three favorite are:
1. Jane Ove Waldner
2. Timo Boll
3. Ma Lin
andray baring Posted 9 years ago
well about me i like jun mizutani
because even if he is not so famous but i can see his determination to win, and i like his swinging high-toss serve
,and most of all i like him because he is also a lefthander like me and sir Alois hahaha
Ayesha Noon Posted 9 years ago
Jane Ove Waldner has very good thinking and match stragety
Ashish Desai Posted 9 years ago
XU XIN
I like the way he adds sidspin to the ball.
Jasper Wong Posted 9 years ago
Top 5
1. Ma Long
2. Jan Ove Waldner
3. Joo Se Hyuk
4. Timo Boll
5. Ma Lin
I like Ma Long because his attacking moves are really awesome.
Jean Balthazar Posted 9 years ago
I love watching:
# Werner Schlager and his devastating backhand smashes (he has a predestined name, since "Schlager" means "Hitter" and "Bat" in German),
# Kalinikos Kreanga for his incredible top spin rallies and outstanding fighting spirit,
# Vladimir Samsonov for his fabulous touch and sense of placement,
# Timo Boll for the overall quality of his game and his proverbial sportsmanship.
... and many others of course, who don't need to have ever been in the world top ten to be very pleasing to watch.
J-B.
Jon Schroeder Posted 9 years ago
My favorite is Vladimir Samsonov- I love his serve and his offensive-Allround style of play
Kaustubh Kulkarni Posted 9 years ago
J.O.W. J.O.W. & J.O.W.
D K Posted 9 years ago
Jonathan :
You have trained for 2 years and you rae still unable to do the most basic strokes?
So I am not alone....I have trained almost twice as long as you,but I am sure I would be unable to defeat you.
Have you ever won a match?
I have never won even one set.
My best result is 0:3 (4:11,5:11,4:11)
My opponent has trained for 4 months,I for 40 months.
He was 7 years old,I was twice as old.
I had the advantage of much more training,much longer range (he was unable to reach shorter balls,his arms were too short to reach the short ball on the middle line from anywhere) and also the advantage of longpips,that was my opponent's weak point.
Although I lost.
And my list of favourite players:
1. Koji Matsushita (he was probably one of the fastest players,and he has shown that the defense cannot be underestimated)
2.Joo Se Hyuk (as a "descendant" of Matsushita at the position of the best chopper)
3.Jan-Ove Waldner (immensely capable player in any style of play,a man who seems to be able to see the future)
4.Kenta Matsudaira (his serve is out of my sight's abilities)
5.Michael Maze (unbeliviable lobber)
6.Ma Lin (ghost serve master)
7.Ding Song (another powerful chopper)
8.Werner Schlager (backhand attack)
9.Vladimir Samsonov (Waldner-like style in the another generation,but weaker and much less deceptive,although very deceptive in his generation)
10.Zhang Xielin (penhold chopper what the hell is this??)
Chris Chin Posted 8 years ago
1: Wang Hao
2: Ma Long
3: Timo Boll
4: Ma Lin
5: Tang Peng
Marcin Lonak Posted 8 years ago
My favorite player was Andrzej Grubba.
He wins in my List against such greats like Jan Owe Waldner and Ma Lin (they could be my favorite players just from Watching their games) cause i have tremendous respect for how Grubba got so great coming from a Country with at that time non existing Table Tennis. Yes there was a Polish Legend 30 years bevore Grubba but completely forgotten. Its like someone from Australia sudennly gets to the top 3 in the world and stays for a decade in the top 10. And i find his style similarly enjoying like the one of Waldner. There is always a bit of Genius playing and you dont smell just the hard work. Also interesting is that Grubba had like Waldner also a long Carrier and played at great level beeing old. Even his in early days in my opinion weak mentality got with age strong.
i Think Jan Owe Waldner had a much better copetitive collegues with the somewhat older Appelgren and same Age Persson. I think those three Swedish Guys were the best Team ever.Its just logical for me that the great talent of JOW grows with those players.
If Grubba would have such strong partners as Jan Owe Waldner had, on a daily basis, then, i think, he would reach much more than he actually won.
Today my favorite is Fang Bo. But similar to Grubba, im not sure if he is Mentally strong enough to be actually the World Best.
Also very enjoying Joo Se Hyuk.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago
Hey some great thoughts there Marcin on a great player.
Tushar Verma Posted 8 years ago
1. J.O.W.
2. Timo Boll
3. Xu Xin
4. Ma Long
5. Zhang Jike
Yousaid Cool Posted 8 years ago
Who is your favourite player Alois?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago
Waldner
Yousaid Cool Posted 8 years ago
mine too.
Marcin Lonak Posted 8 years ago
Actually i have to update my Ranking. After seeing Waldner on YouTube in his teens 1982, 83, 84. I believe no European player had such a smooth footwork like the young Waldner. Together with his unbelievebal touch and technique it's just beautiful to watch.
and I always liked Persson for his easy going style. There are not many top sport people who remained quite normal despite the long training hours.
sorry Andrzej
i have to change my ranking:
1. JOW
2. Joergen Persson
3. Andrzej Grubba
today:
Samsonov,
Mizutani,
Xu Xin,
Ma Long,
Fang Bo,
Jo Saehyuk
its just my favorite players, the best one is no doubt Ma Lonak...oops. Sorry -Long
Tushar Verma Posted 7 years ago
JOW is considered to be the greatest player because he is the only blocker who plays internationally and do spinny topspin and another reason is he plays sometimes block and sometimes attacks, we all only practice only one style but he is a all-rounder.
Tushar Verma Posted 7 years ago
And the greatest player ever.
Felix Chan Posted 6 years ago
My favourite player is Ma long because he is great in topspin(REALLY INCREDIBLE) and he is famous:)
Rohan Keogh Posted 6 years ago
Waldner, Boll, Maze, Samsonov
Abhinav Basu Posted 6 years ago
It's definitely Timo Boll followed by Zhang Jike
Jim PingPalHal Posted 6 years ago
My favorite players are:
Ma Long because I like seeing excellence.
Timo Boll because he looks like Christian Bale and therefore looks like Batman.
Dima Ovtcharov I probably relate to the most because I have a hot blonde wife and beautiful baby girl. I also like his backhand serve.
Rohan Keogh Posted 6 years ago
All good choices, and reasons :), Jim.
ravi kumar Posted 6 years ago
xu xin bcoz of tht particular spinny ,wavy backhand around the net