(by Dr. Alan Chu, PhD CMPC)
Hugo Calderano’s journey from crushing Olympic disappointment to World Cup champion offers every table tennis player a blueprint for recovery from a tough competition. After missing the podium at Paris 2024 despite being the highest-ranked non-Asian/European player, Calderano faced his darkest competitive period. However, he made history eight months later by becoming the first non-Chinese World Cup winner since 2017 and reached the World Championships final. His transformation reveals a approach to mental recovery that any player can apply after major setbacks, whether it’s the US Nationals, a local tournament, or simply a tough loss at practice.
Part II of this two-part mental training tip series inspired by Calderano focuses on post-tournament recovery and adjustments, broken down into three phases.
For information about pre-tournament preparation, please see this Part I post.
Phase 1: Honor the Struggle (Month 1)
Calderano didn’t pretend everything was fine or rush back with false optimism. For months, he acknowledged that he “couldn’t find himself” in competitions. Upon reflection, Calderano believes he couldn’t have said anything to change his own mood after the Olympic Games.
It’s no secret that the post-Olympics period wasn’t easy for me. My motivation dropped a bit, and I was trying to rediscover that pleasure, that joy in playing table tennis.
I think I have always known how to deal with victories and defeats very well, learning from experiences. It is important to know that you are not in an easy phase, but that this is temporary.
What Can You Do?
- Allow yourself to feel disappointed without immediately trying to “fix” it
- Focus on maintaining basic training routines without performance expectations
- Reduce competitive pressure temporarily—play practice matches for enjoyment
- Avoid making dramatic technical or tactical changes while emotionally raw
Phase 2: Rebuild Through Process (Before Another Big Tournament)
Calderano understood that mental recovery happens in daily training, not in competition results. He focused on rediscovering his joy for the sport while maintaining high preparation standards.
The difficulty lies in the daily work, that’s where you have to make a difference, and it’s this mental part that’s the most important: you have to be very focused on your goals, you always play better when you’re happier, lighter, and more relaxed. Little by little, I was finding myself again.
What Can You Do?
- Set micro-goals: “Execute quality backhands in this drill” instead of “Win my next tournament” (see more information in a previous post on Set SMART Process Goals)
- Track process metrics (consistency, footwork quality, tactical execution)
- Prioritize training enjoyment—work on shots you love, play fun practice games
- Gradually increase competitive intensity as confidence rebuilds
Phase 3: Compete with Present-Moment Focus (During the Big Tournament)
Calderano’s breakthrough in the World Cup required him to defeat the world’s top three players consecutively, but this was only possible because he had learned to focus on his preparation rather than the results. His mental training and present-moment focus allowed him to compete freely under pressure.
The most important factor I learned is to live in the present, accept the joys of sport, and also know how to suffer defeats.
I think that, in the end, whoever is better prepared plays better. Whoever can deal better with pressure [too].
What Can You Do?
- Practice with pressure drills and matches that allow you to feel like playing an important competition
- View each match as practice for your mindset rather than proof of your recovery
- Focus on pre-match/tournament preparation and playing one point at a time rather than managing tournament outcomes (see more information in a previous post on Let Go of Expectations)
- Celebrate process execution (staying calm , adapting tactics) regardless of results
- Accept that progress isn’t linear—bad matches don’t erase good training
The Bigger Picture
Calderano’s story proves that our biggest setbacks often precede our greatest breakthroughs. His Olympic disappointment taught him lessons that his successes couldn’t. Even during his struggles, Calderano maintained belief in his long-term potential while being realistic about his current state. The mental toughness, present-moment focus, and joy he rediscovered became permanent advantages.
Your recovery process builds this same foundation—strengthening you for whatever challenges and opportunities lie ahead. Recovery isn’t about forgetting your disappointment; it’s about transforming it into the foundation for unprecedented success. The table is waiting for your comeback story.
