Young Star rises in the United States of Ping Pong

I had the opportunity to interview a rising young star and the next generation of top player from the United States. It's fantastic to see young players from the States joining the world's best. Thanks for the interview Lily!

Full Name: Lily Zhang

Age: 15 years old

Date of Birth: June 16, 1996

Nation Represented: USA

Highest World Ranking: Womens: 125, Juniors: 15

Equipment Used:

Blade: Ishlion

FH Rubber: Tenergy 05

BH Rubber: Tenergy 05

Updated: Lily in action at the 2014 World Champs

Your Career:

How long have you been playing table tennis, when and how did you start?

I’ve been playing table tennis for around 8 years now. I started when I was 7 years old and my parents used to play for fun so I picked up on the sport.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career so far?

My parents are definitely a huge influence on everything I do, especially my table tennis career. They’ve been so supportive of me and encourage me to do what I love. I wouldn’t be where I am without them.

What is your biggest and proudest moment in table tennis to date?

I’ve had many great experiences in table tennis so I can’t say I have one specific experience that was the best.

What is your next big goal for table tennis?

My next goal is definitely to make the 2012 Olympics in London. I recently made it on the US Olympic team but we need to beat Canada in order to qualify.

What do you think the sport of table tennis is lacking around the world? What could be done to improve it from an international player’s perspective?

I wouldn’t say it’s lacking anything really, but I think if more people from more countries participated, it would definitely heighten the experiences. For example, it’s not really the most well know sport in the US but it is growing significantly.

Where has been your favourite place to train and play and why is this your favourite?

Again, I’ve had many great training places, but a few of the best is probably China and the club where I currently train, ICC. China has a very rigorous and effective training program and the coaches at my club are great and give me so much advice.

Lily Zhang at the Global Cadet Challenge
Image courtesy of Joola US

If you are winning 10-0 do you give a point or try and win 11-0?

I always give a point a 10-0 because I think that’s the right thing to do and it’s good sportsmanship.

You’ve already competed in an astounding 3 World Championships. What is the hardest thing about competing internationally at such a young age?

I think it’s actually great to compete at a young age. It gives you so much experience, and it’s absolutely amazing watching the top-ranked players in the world play.

You recently had some great success at the world junior championships, tell us a bit more about the experience and how you went.

World Junior Championships overall was a successful tournament for me, but there were also a few road bumps along the way. I wasn’t performing my best in the first few matches for teams but as the tournament went on, I became more relaxed and was able to play my real game. Although I would have liked to keep going, I lost in top 16 to China.

Off Topic Questions

Favourite food: Pasta, Sushi

Favourite Movie: The Notebook

Dream Car: For now, any car would be great since I don’t even have my license yet.

If you were stuck on a desert island, which table tennis player would you have with you there? Everybody! I can’t choose, it’s too hard!

First thing you would do if you won $1 Million: Roll around in the money! No just kidding, probably donate some, shop a bit, and save the rest.  

Lily Zhang (in black) plays Ariel Hsing

Leading Germany to Europe's Pinnacle On the Table and Off

I was lucky enough to score an interview with one of the table tennis greats of Europe, Jorg Rosskopf a.k.a Rossi. I always felt Rosskopf was a player who had great success but lived in the shadow of players like Persson and Waldner and got less recognition for his achievements. Retiring in 2010 he became the National Coach of Germany and has continued his great success in that role. Thanks for the interview Rossi!

Full Name: Jörg Roßkopf

Date Of Birth: 22.5.1969

Nation represented: Germany

Highest World Ranking: 4


Equipment Used
Blade: Joola
FH Rubber: Joola Explode
BH Rubber: Joola Explode

Jorg celebrates victory over Robert Svensson in his last ever German League match
Image courtesy of ITTF 

Your Career

How long did you play table tennis for, when and how did you start?
I started when I was 5 years old and played until I was 40.

What was the highlight/best memory of your table tennis career?Winning the 1989 WTTC gold medal in mens doubles with Steffen Fetzner and winning Olympic medals in both 1992 and 1996.

You played in an era with some of the most reputable and respected players of all time (yourself included). Who was the player you enjoyed playing the most?
The best player ever is Jan-Ove Waldner and he was the most difficult to play against.

How does it feel to have the opportunity to go from being Germany's leading player of the time to now having the opportunity to be their national coach?
It is a big pleasure to work with such a strong team and I hope I can improve them a little bit more.

How do you think Germany will perform at the WTTC team event in 2012? Do they have the potential to equal or better their previous silver medal result?
That is our target to go to the final

The young French players have been making a big impression on the World Tour lately with some big wins. Patrick Franziska also shocked followers with wins over Persson, Tokic and Chuang Chih-Yuan at the recent Qatar Open, do you think Patrick will be the next prospect for the top German player?
He have the power but it is very difficult to say what he will acieve in the future, but he has the chance and a good background to became a good player.

What does Germany (and Europe) need to change in the way of training in order to compete with the Chinese National Team?
They have to work more and spend more time training and less time with breaks.

Jorg in his recent role as German National Mens Coach
Image from Spox.com 

Do you think the change in your era from the 38mm ball and games to 21 to the 40mm ball and games to 11 improved the sport of table tennis?
The ball has no affect, but to change to 11 was a good idea because now there is more and earlier tension in the game.

Have you or the Germany National players had the opportunity to try the new material table tennis ball prototype expected to be released after the Olympics? If so, how do you think that will change the game?
No

Which European players do you think will pose a threat to the Chinese at the Olympic Games? Perhaps Ovtcharov, Skachkov etc?
Now Boll and Ovtcharov from Germany, Mizutani from Japan and Joo Se Hyuk from Korea and in the future Ovtcharov, Baum and some french players I think also.

What would you like to achieve as German National Coach while you are in that position? I.e your biggest goal.
To win against China in a final.

What is your opinion on the careers of Ma Lin and Wang Liqin? Do you think they will be in the Chinese National Team much longer?
No, I think after London Olympics they will stop and the Chinese will push the new generation of players.


Off the Topic Questions

Who’s your favourite sportsperson of all time?
Federer

Favourite food?
Italian

Dream Car?
No dream car.

Ideal holiday destination?
I love New York

First thing you would do if you won $1million?
I will change nothing, I would invest in the future of my family and friends


Your Team Mates

Who trained the hardest in the training hall?
Roßkopf, now Filus, Mengel and Franziska

Who’s was the funniest team player?
Dani Heister

Who had the best nickname?
Rossi

Describe each of these players in ONE word:Jan-Ove Waldner: Gambler


Jorgen Persson: Nice Person


Zoran Primorac: Moneymaker


Jean Michel-Saive: Fighter


Timo Boll: Talent


Werner Schlager: Chess Player

Rosskopf's final DTTL match against Robert Svensson in 2010 

And Lastly

Would you like to add one last tip, or an inspirational message for other table tennis players looking to succeed?Live your dream and fight till the end

Want to read more great interviews with other former World Champions, Cup Winners and Number 1's? Click for MORE INTERVIEWS.

Clash of the Eras: Ma Long vs. Jan-Ove Waldner

Nobody has ever doubted that Waldner is one of, if not THE, greatest player/s of all time. Recently however a rapidly growing support for Ma Long has arisen. Having recently equalled Wang Liqin's record for the greatest number of successive Pro Tour tournament wins, Ma Long has got the world on their feet. Despite his team mate Zhang Jike winning both the World Championships and the World Cup, the fans still sway in Ma Long's favour. So the real question is, is Ma Long a greater player than Jan-Ove Waldner?

Waldner vs. Ma Long

For arguments sake Waldner's history of event's won is much more significant and Ma Long's most major event is the Pro Tour Grand Finals, he hasn't even won a major World event. He does of course have a high probability of an Olympic medal these coming Olympic Games should he be selected. So despite Waldner's reputation as 'the world's greatest ever' does Ma Long have the potential to claim that title?

Waldner's precision and showcase touch around the table inspired generations of players in Europe and around the world. Unique style of play and a talent for spin and ball control. Ma Long captures the essence of speed and power in the game and demonstrates overwhelming dominance in open rallies and ability to attack early in the bounce. So the players although well rounded players, both exhibit some opposites, which makes the debate all the more interesting. Either way I don't think a conclusion will be reached anytime in the near future, though the discussions will be long and fierce between opposing fans. For both groups I've made a video showcasing the genius play of both players side by side!

Olympic Host Nation's Rising European Star

A year ago if the name Liam Pitchford was uttered on the international table tennis scene the recognition would nowhere near match what it does today. Moving to Ochsenhausen to compete in the Bundesliga, Liam had gone from strength to strength and has become one of Europe's most talked about young players. With outstanding results at the 2011 European Championships and the opportunity to play at the 2012 Energis Masters event, Liam is looking onwards and upwards as the Olympics grow closer. Thanks for the interview Liam!

Full Name: Liam Pitchford
Date Of Birth: 12/07/1993
Nation represented: England
Highest World Ranking: 171

Equipment Used?
Blade: Innerforce ALC
FH Rubber: Tenergy 05
BH Rubber: Tenergy 64


Your Career
How did you play table tennis for, when and how did you start?
I have been playing for about 8-9 years now, I first started when I was at junior school and it was a rainy afternoon so me and 2 friends decided to go inside and see what table tennis was all about.

What has been the highlight of your table tennis career so far?
Winning 2 medals at the 2010 commonwealth games was a major step for me and also beating former world no.1 Vladimir Samsonov last year.

How has your first season at TTF Leibherr Ochsenhausen been? We're you expecting to achieve the results you did in 2011?
Its been very good so far but also difficult to adjust to life in a different country, the practice is very good but I must admit I wasn’t expecting to get the results I got so early after moving here.

Beating Prokopcov, Samsonov and Smirnov are huge results for you, must have been very pleasing, is there anyone specific you would like to try and beat this year if the opportunity came up?Yes I was very pleased with my results at the European championships. Theres not really anyone specific I would like to beat, just anyone that is put infront of me! Oh and obviously it would be nice to beat a Chinese!

What is your big goal for 2012?
My main goal is to qualify for the Olympic games, I will hopefully play the qualification event and try and qualify through there and if not the host nation gets some automatic places so hopefully I have a good chance to play!

You recently played Timo Boll and Werner Schlager at the Energis Masters Games, what was that experience like and how do you feel you played those matches?
It was a great experience to play two legends of the game, I felt I performed quite well they just had more consistency and quality when it was tight.

Image from the Telegraph UK

What is your week like in terms of training, Bundesliga matches and ECL matches?
It depends if and when we have matches really, normally we are practicing 2 times per day Monday to Friday with maybe taking 1 session free then 1 time Saturday and normally a bundesliga match on Sunday!

How has living in Germany been? You seem to have really become part of a great team and of course live with Jonathan Groth and are close with your teammates Tiago Apolonia, Kirill Skachkov and Andrej Gacina.
Its been difficult to adjust to but also a great learning experience and I am really enjoying it now so hopefully more results will start to come!

The big question, FIFA seems to be the ultimate challenge among your team. So of the 4 of you who is actually the best player statistically? And I noticed you pair up also which is the winning pair so far?
Haha I think im the best player to be honest ;) well last time me and Kirill won 5-1 so I would have to say us but its actually quite even which makes it more fun!


Off the Topic Questions

Who’s your favourite sportsperson of all time?
Lance Armstrong

Favourite food?
Pasta

Dream Car
Aston martin V12 Vanquish

Ideal holiday destination?
Somewhere warm :)

First thing you would do if you won $1million?
Good question! I would probably buy my dad his dream car and buy mine also.

Your Team Mates

Who trained the hardest in the training hall?
Everyone trains hard but I would say Ovidiu Ionescu (Romania)

Who’s was the funniest team player?
Tiago Apolonia

Who had the best nickname?
Jonathan Groth – Johnny Drama

Last time I asked you a question about your teammates but you hadn't really got to know them yet so here goes:
If you could use one word to describe each of your teammates and training partners what would it be?

Andrej Gacina: Fighter


Tiago Apolonia: Funny


Kirill Skachkov: Laid-back


Jonathan Groth: Talkative (never stops asking questions) :P


Hunor Szocs: Talkative (never shuts up) haha


And Lastly
Would you like to add one last tip, or an inspirational message for other table tennis players looking to succeed?
Never give up! Even if youre going through a bad patch nooone is stopping you from succeeding and doing the best you can!

Romania's Table Tennis Hero - Adrian Crisan

For some of you Adrian Crisan may not have been a big name until you saw him in the Semifinals in last weeks Hungarian Open. But for those of us who have been on the scene a while, Adrian was in the top 20 in the world for over a year back in 2006 and recorded wins against players like Timo Boll and Michael Maze. Since 1997 Adrian has played the German league and spent 10 years representing Ochsenhausen in the Bundesliga. He recently moved to play for Werder Bremen. On WR he has qualified for the Olympics so best of luck to him. Thanks Adrian!

Full Name: Adrian Crisan

Date of Birth: 7.5.1980

Nation Represented: Romania

Highest World Ranking: 10

Adrian at the 2008 Beijing Olympics

Equipment Used:

Blade: Chuang Chih-Yuan Wood

FH Rubber: Tenergy 05 

BH Rubber: Bryce Speed fx

Your Career:

What is your biggest and proudest moment in table tennis to date?

When we won the German Championships with Ochsenhausen and the 3 cups also, were very very special to me and when I win the Brazil Open.

On World Ranking you have qualified for the 2012 Olympic Games, what do you hope to achieve there?

I want to win one medal in the Olympics, this before Budapest :)

Why do you think the Chinese are so dominant in the sport? Who do you think will be the next country to rise and start beating them?

I think Japan become stronger and stronger, Germany and Korea too. I think Chinese are good because they have a lot of players and top coaches and they have big advantages with the material, this is my personal opinion.

What do you think the sport of table tennis is lacking around the world? What could be done to improve it from an international player’s perspective?

I don't know what we have to do really. We have a small sport, cannot compare ever with football or tennis. I will like that we have better prize money, and maybe have like tennis with 4 grand slams or something with big money. A World Tour with much more money would be nice :)

You recently started playing Bundesliga for Werder Bremen after 10 years at TTF Leibherr Ochsenhausen, has this been a big change for you? How do you feel about the German League system for your game?

It was a big change for me moving to Bremen, moving from small Ochsenhausen 9000 people to Bremen 500000, and from deep south to the far north, it is change, people are diferent, climate is very different, but nice people everywhere, in south and in north I was lucky. Very good time I spend in Ochsenhausen, never will forget, and now I feel happy in Bremen, it's really a nice club and I will like to win one title here too. I feel Bundesliga a very strong league, very dificult to play, happy to play so many years here and hope for some more, for my game was very important, playing top players every week bring much to my game and a lot of experience.

What do you think is most important in creating a successful international player?

The most important thing is to have patience after you train hard. I think I like this.

If you are winning 10-0 do you give a point or try and win 11-0?

I will give one point.

How was your confidence level going into your match with Joo Se Hyuk in the Semifinal of the Hungary Open? Did you think you had a good chance to perform well and how did you feel you performed in the match?

I go into to semifinal with confidence , I was thinking I had a chance. I had a chance during the match also , but unfortunatly I start to bad and make unforced errors too many in beginning.

You managed to defeat Chen Weixing by 4-2, was this a good warmup for playing Joo for you? How different is the gamestyle when you play Chen and Joo?

Against Chen I was playing good and feel good all the day, also earlier against Gionis . Compare Joo and Chen , I think Joo defend more with forehand side and Chen attack more. Both unbelieveble top players.

Adrian's Semifinal match vs. Joo Se Hyuk

Hungarian Open 2012