(by Steve Hopkins) As Major League Table Tennis (MLTT) prepares to launch its third season this September, the league is once reimagining our sport with a rule change that will drastically affect doubles strategy – allowing “open serves”. What does “Open Serve” mean in doubles? In table tennis, doubles players have always been required to serve […]

(by Steve Hopkins) The Canadian Elite Table Tennis Training Centre (“the Centre” or “Elite”) is a table tennis club and training center in Mississauga, Ontario. Mississauga is just to the West of Toronto, about 30 kilometers from the city center. The Centre has run for many years as its own facility but has recently changed to […]

(by Steve Hopkins) Despite some surprises at the United States Smash, the World Rankings saw very little changes near the top.  Lin Shidong maintains the first position, though Wang Chuqin’s Smash victory has narrowed the margin (8975 to 8225 are their current totals – a separation that could be bridged in one event).  Hugo Calderano […]

(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) Ostrava, Czech Republic is host to this year’s European Youth Championships.  In the U19 Junior category, there are seven events: Junior Boys (Singles, Doubles, and Teams), Junior Girls (Singles, Doubles, and Teams), and Junior Mixed Doubles.  The Singles events were played first.  In Junior Boys’ Singles David Szantosi of Hungary […]

(by Steve Hopkins, photo FISU) Germany is the host of the 2025 FISU World University Games this Summer with 8500 student-athletes from over 100 countries competing in 18 sports.  Americans are among those competing in the seven table tennis events.  The US contingent includes Ved Sheth, Sid Naresh, Kai Zarehbin, Ryan Wu, Joanna Sung, Emily […]

(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) As all eyes were on the bright lights of Las Vegas for the WTT United States Smash, the WTT ran a second event highlighting para players.  This WTT US Smash Para Showcase ran from July 7-9 with select elite para athletes from around the globe. The Para Men’s Singles event […]

(by Steve Hopkins, photo MLTT) The Chicago Wind plan to blow over competition in the upcoming Major League Table Tennis (MLTT) season.  The Wind made the playoffs in their second season and they hope to build on that success later this year. The team is led by coach Eric Owens, a former US champion.  The […]

(by Steve Hopkins) Wang Chuqin made quick work of Tomokazu Harimoto in the Men’s Singles Final of the United States Smash in Las Vegas.  Two of the games had close scores, but Chuqin was the stronger player today – and the 4-0 win is a clear statement.  Wang Chuqin won the first two games before […]

(by Steve Hopkins) Nestled in Rosemead, California, at the heart of the San Gabriel Valley near Los Angeles, California Table Tennis is California Table Tennis – a premier, full-time training facility. The club features 10 Butterfly tables and professional-grade flooring, providing optimal playing conditions among the best in the country. They feature membership of over […]

(by Steve Hopkins) Fans in Las Vegas were treated to two epic Semifinal matches on Saturday at the United States Smash.  The first matchup was Felix Lebrun and Wang Chuqin and neither player won two games in a row through all seven.  Chuqin won the first game 11-9, Felix countered with an 11-5 win to […]