Dusseldorf and Ochsenhausen Battle for German League Top Spot

December 12, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) The top two performing teams in the Table Tennis Bundesliga (TTBL) with TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen hosting first place Borussia Dusseldorf. Both teams are incredibly strong, but the Dusseldorf squad is loaded (Timo Boll, Kallberg, Qiu, and Karlsson as their top four – Boll did not play today). The first match was Dang […]

Coaching Tip of the week: Bring Proper Equipment and Supplies

December 6, 2021

(By Larry Hodges) You’ve practiced, you’ve worked with a coach, you’ve done physical training, you’ve done mental training… you’re ready for the tournament. What could go wrong? Let’s see . . . the floor’s slippery, so you can’t move… it’s humid, so the ball is sliding off the racket . . . and the only […]

ITTF Rankings: Week 48

December 4, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) As we start the last month of the year, Fan Zhendong has cemented himself at the top of the rankings. In fact, after winning the World Championships, Fan (at 12645) has a 2135 point lead over second place Ma Long and the separation between Ma Long (10510) and third place Xu Xin […]

When Was the Last Time?: A Few More Notes From Houston

December 1, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) When was he last time THAT happened? When was the last time Fan Zhendong won a World Championship? For a player who currently tops the ITTF rankings and who has seemingly won just about every title there is, it may be surprising that Sunday was the first Singles World Championship for Fan. […]

Coaching Tip of the week: How to Get Lucky

November 29, 2021

(By Larry Hodges) Few things are more frustrating than losing a match because the other guy got a bunch of “lucky” nets and edges. And yes, each of those nets and edges were lucky – individually. But in the long run, certain styles or tactics lead to such “luck.” So, how can you get lucky? […]

2021 World Table Tennis Championships: Day 6 Update

November 29, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) The penultimate day has come to an end, and all that is left of the World Table Tennis Championships is four Finals which will begin on Monday at 1p local time. Here is the Day 6 Update: Fan Zhendong continued to live up to his billing as the tournament’s top seed (and […]

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Alameda Ping Pong Gym

November 28, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) The Alameda Ping Pong Gym is a new club in the Bay Area. It offers 10 tables and lots of space with newly-renovated lighting and flooring.. With its location on Lincoln Avenue, the Alameda Ping Pong Gym is conveniently located for players on the East side of San Francisco Bay. Alameda is […]

World Championships Focus: Kanak Jha

November 27, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) When was the last time that Timo Boll, one of the world’s most popular players, faced a crowd dominated by cheers for his opponent. That was the case today in Houston as USA’s Kanak Jha. Boll, currently World No. 11, has consistently been one of the top players in the World, and […]

2021 World Table Tennis Championships – Day 4 Update

November 27, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) Wow. Just freaking WOW. If you aren’t watching the World Table Tennis Championships, you should tune in to the livestream and catch the action on Saturday. Here’s what you missed today: USA’s Kanak Jha is through to the Final 16. Jha faced off against a very tough defensive player, Germany’s Ruwen Filus, […]

2021 World Table Tennis Championships – Day 3 Update

November 26, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) The events in Houston have now been narrowed from a field of 128 to the top 16. Thanksgiving Day was Day 3 of the World Table Tennis Championships and there was action in all five events. In Men’s Singles, Fan Zhendong and Wang Chuqin both pressed forward with 4-0 wins and now […]