WTTC 44 - observations and questions

Hi Alois

I recently purchased DVDs of WTTC 44 for those late nights with the baby.

First of all, some observations.

It was interesting how many players from today were already playing back in 1997.  Schlager, Kreanga, Samsonov, Wang Liqin, Ma Lin etc...  I thought table tennis players had short shelf lives (especially in China).  I think it also reflects on the reason for China's domination - their ability to simply churn out world-class players.  Sure Wang Liqin and Ma Lin still play today, but they've been eclipsed by new generations of younger Chinese players.  On the European side, it's still the same top players with the addition now of Timo Boll and Michael Maze.

I also thought it interesting that many of the players had same coaching staff (also looking much younger).  Often the assistance coaches were now the head coach.  I guess coach-player relationships in table tennis are generally quite long-lasting.

Now some questions.

How would you describe the style of Wang Tao?  He was just brutal in the team matches where he didn't seem to lose a single contest.  At full flight he just bullied and overpowered traditional midcourt loopers.  He started off hitting the ball hard, and if the opponent could get the balls back, he'd simply hit harder and earlier until he had bludgeoned the opponent into submission.  He doesn't fit in neatly with any of the styles of table tennis.  In a way he is a blocker, but a very aggressive one, and he combines pin point blocking with massive counterloops off the bounce.  He Zhi Wen is the only other player who has a similar style.  Both are fairly heavily built and able to generate power off a quick swing.  Seeing how invincible Wang Tao looked, I couldn't help wonder why there were not more players of that type today.  Is the game evolved somehow where that style is difficult to execute? 

Also, on table tennis terminology, I recently corrected an opponent who declared "SET point" by saying it was a "GAME point".  However, I've since seen table tennis matches where it was referred to sometimes as SETS.  Do we call it SET or GAME in table tennis?  Seems like the ITTF has changed its mind at least once on this - adding to the confusion.

Finally, just curious what your favourite match of all times was - and why.

Personally, I would say perhaps Michael Maze's win over Hao Shuai in Shanghai.  It had everything, playing IN China with a very vocal crowd against a Chinese player, being down 0-3 and something like 5-9 in the 4th, falling down on match point but winning it to stay alive, all the crazy lobs, the crowd (and the Chinese coach) in disbelief as Maze continued to win points off the lob, and then Michael's passionate celebration at the end.

Hi Ji-Soo,

Table Tennis players have a very long development period. It takes a long time to make a good player.  In Australia I often hear people say that a player will be a champion.  The last 5% often takes many years to put into place.

I also used to love the style of Wang Tao.  He was almost unbeatable against the penholders of the time using his two sided attack to cut down the time that the one sided penholders had, until they would eventually submit to the speed.

He was susceptible though against a good topspin player that could vary the spin to his backhand.  He didn't like the consistent slower spinnier type ball.  He played a high risk game that could break down.  I would describe his style as a close to the table counter attacker.

Regarding terminology, I think the correct term is a Game.  The ITTF rules have "A game shall be won by the player or pair first scoring 11 points..." 

Finally my favourite match is probably one from the archives between Jiang Jialiang and Waldner in the final of the 1987 World Championships.  One, because I was lucky enough to be there.  It was the first time I had seen the very young Waldner. Jiang was a superb player that attacked with great speed off everything with short pimples and Waldner used his guile to almost snatch an improbable victory.  I do like watching the short pimple penhold players that look like they are smashing every ball.  I played Jiang the previous year at the Asian championships where he gave me a very expected spanking.  He moved unbelievably well and was able to get around and make forehands off ball that you couldn't think he could make.  I haven't watched that match for a log while so I hope it still holds up to my memories.