Site Products
Marvellous 2020 Review: Fan Repeats, Qihao and Yuling Surprise

First Rankings of 2021: Fan, Xu Xin, Ma Long

(by Steve Hopkins)

The ITTF has launched a new ranking system, transitioning from the monthly ranking list to a weekly version.  They have also simplified the ranking rules with the three largest events giving 2000 points, major championships awarding 1500 and 1000 points, and other types of events providing between 20 and 600 points.  The new system should create move movement between players as the season progresses (at least in a normal year with a full calendar of events).

The first ITTF TABLE TENNIS WORLD RANKING of 2021 is not much different from the last rankings of 2020.  Fan Zhendong, Xu Xin, and Ma Long are the top three.  Harimoto and Lin Gaoyuan have swapped spots (with Gaoyuan moving up to No. 4).  Jang Woojin has the biggest move among the Top 25 – jumping from No. 18 to No. 11.  USA’s Kanak Jha has started 2021 at No. 28.

The Women’s rankings haven’t changed much either.  It is Chen Meng, Sun Yingsha, and Mima Ito as the top 3.  The next four players are all Chinese (Wang, Ding, Zhu, Liu) followed by Cheng I-Ching, Kasumi Ishiawa and Wang Yidi to round out the Top 10.  Americans Lily Zhang and Jennifer Wu are ranked No. 30 and No. 31.  Puerto Rico’s Adriana Diaz is No. 18.

See the ITTF’s new weekly ranking site here.

Latest News

Mastering the Serve: The First Step to Dominating Table Tennis Matches

September 10, 2025
(by Coach Ju/Coach Hailong Shen) In table tennis, the serve is the only stroke that begins entirely under… Read More

Your MLTT Weekly Update

September 10, 2025
(by: Major League Table Tennis)   Opening weekend on TableTennis.TV What a weekend in Pleasanton! Six matches in three… Read More

Recovering from Disappointments: Lessons from Hugo Calderano’s Historic Victory

September 8, 2025
(by Dr. Alan Chu, PhD CMPC) Hugo Calderano’s journey from crushing Olympic disappointment to World Cup champion offers… Read More

Focus on Controlled Receives at Start of Match

September 8, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) I had trouble with his serve” is likely the most common reason given for losing… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Essential Table Tennis

September 8, 2025
(By Steve Hopkins) Essential Table Tennis operates two club locations.  The Oklahoma City location is just South of… Read More

MLTT Week 1 Recap

September 7, 2025
(By Steve Hopkins) The opening weekend of Major League Table Tennis featured six matches at Alameda County Fairgrounds in… Read More

WTT Macao Preview: Opening Matchups

September 7, 2025
(By Steve Hopkins) World No. 1 Lin Shidong will face Kao Cheng-Jui, just one of many exciting first-round matchups… Read More

Togami Takes Title in Almaty

September 7, 2025
(By Steve Hopkins) The old saying “Third Time’s a Charm” rang true for Shunsuke Togami today as his third… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.