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Hi , and welcome to the latest edition of Planet Table Tennis News.
I hope you enjoy this edition and if you have any comments or suggestions for future editions we would love to hear from you.🏓
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Phil , Founder, Planet Table Tennis
Table of Contents
The best match players don’t wait to “feel ready.” They create advantage early.
Quote: “If you want easier points, you must earn them in the first three balls
World News
Results and Events around the world
We will in future editions be featuring different events and table tennis associations across the planet.
If you would like to have your country , association or event featured in this section please email [email protected]
Training & Coaching
1.Win the First 3 Balls (Serve + 1 + 1)
Here’s the mindset shift:
A good serve isn’t one that always wins the point , although you should always try to your best to win the point straight from your serve — it’s one that gives you a predictable next ball.
Your plan
Serve with a purpose (short + low).
Ball 2: expect the likely receive.
Ball 3: attack the best location.
Training drill: Serve → predict → attack
Serve short backspin (or no-spin) to the forehand.
Partner receives (push or flick).
You must attack ball 3 to a planned target.
Coaching points
Don’t change serve every time — build 2–3 “money serves.”
Keep serves genuinely short: second bounce near the net.
Attack ball 3 with placement first (wide corner / elbow), then power.
Track success: out of 20 sequences, how many times did you get the ball you wanted?
This builds a “point starter” system — your results improve fast.
2.The “Commit to First Attack” Rule (stop giving initiative away)
A common problem among club players:
You see the long ball… and still push.
That moment is usually fear — fear of missing, fear of counterattack, fear of looking silly.
Rule for the next 2 weeks
If the ball is long or half-long, you must attack first at least 70% of the time.
Drill: Push decision training
Partner alternates: one short push, one half-long/long push.
Short = touch it back.
Half-long/long = you open (FH or BH).
Coaching points
Your first open is a “quality ball,” not a winner.
Aim for clearance and spin. Make them play.
Recover immediately after the open so you’re ready to finish.
Vary direction early: cross, line, elbow.
This is the bridge between “good practice player” and “good match player.”
Player Profile
Zhang Jike
Zhang Jike — The Ultimate Big-Match Player
Zhang Jike is one of the most fascinating and polarising figures in modern table tennis history. At his peak, he was widely regarded as the most dangerous player in the world when the stakes were highest. His career is not defined by longevity or volume of titles, but by intensity, timing, and an unmatched ability to peak on the biggest stages.
Early Career and Unconventional Rise
Born in 1988 in Qingdao, China, Zhang Jike’s early career followed a far less predictable path than most Chinese champions. While immensely talented, he was also known for being strong-willed and emotionally intense, traits that initially worked against him in China’s highly disciplined system.
Early setbacks — including being temporarily dropped from the national team — became a defining moment. Instead of breaking him, this period reshaped his mindset. When Zhang returned, he did so with a sharper edge, a clearer sense of purpose, and a mentality built around proving himself on the biggest stages.
This resilience would later become one of his greatest weapons.
Historic Achievements and the Fastest Grand Slam
Zhang Jike’s career peak between 2011 and 2013 is one of the most explosive stretches ever seen in men’s table tennis.
Major achievements include:
🏆 World Champion – Men’s Singles (2011)
🏅 Olympic Singles Champion (London 2012)
🏆 World Cup Champion (2011)
By winning the Olympic singles title in 2012, Zhang Jike completed a career Grand Slam in just 445 days — the fastest in history — a record that still stands and may never be beaten.
He also became the first male player ever to hold the Olympic Games, World Championships, and World Cup singles titles simultaneously, marking a level of dominance achieved by very few players.
Technical Identity: Precision Under Pressure
From a coaching perspective, Zhang Jike’s technique was built for high-pressure situations.
Backhand Excellence
His backhand topspin was the cornerstone of his game:
Extremely compact swing
Early contact at peak bounce
Heavy spin combined with pace
Exceptional directional control
This allowed him to attack safely in tight rallies and dominate backhand-to-backhand exchanges against even the strongest opponents.
Forehand Efficiency
Zhang’s forehand was not flashy, but it was brutally effective:
Direct acceleration
Minimal wasted movement
Excellent finishing ability from mid-distance
Strong counter-topspin under pressure
He rarely overplayed — his forehand was a tool, not a showpiece.
Mentality: Built for the Biggest Moments
What truly separated Zhang Jike was his competitive psychology.
He thrived when:
The crowd was loud
The opponent was favoured
The match reached deuce or deciding games
Unlike players who seek emotional calm, Zhang channelled controlled aggression. His intensity sharpened focus rather than causing panic.
This mentality made him extraordinarily dangerous in:
World Championship finals
Olympic knockout matches
Deciding games against top rivals
At the same time, this emotional intensity also made it difficult for him to maintain consistency across long seasons — a key reason his peak was shorter than players like Ma Long.
Rivalries and Era Context
Zhang Jike competed during a transitional era in Chinese men’s table tennis. He bridged the gap between the generation of Wang Hao / Ma Lin and the era dominated by Ma Long and Fan Zhendong.
His rivalry with Ma Long in particular defined this period:
Zhang often held the mental edge early on
Ma Long eventually surpassed him through greater stability and longevity
This contrast highlights Zhang Jike’s unique identity: the ultimate tournament player, rather than the ultimate season-long performer.
Something Less Known (But Highly Revealing)
Zhang Jike was known within the Chinese team for being exceptionally instinctive. Coaches noted that he relied less on rigid tactical plans and more on feel, especially in tight moments.
This instinct-driven approach explains both:
His breathtaking peaks
And his difficulty sustaining form when confidence dipped
It also explains why he was so devastating when momentum swung in his favour.
What Club Players Can Learn from Zhang Jike
Zhang Jike’s career offers powerful lessons for competitive players:
Compact strokes hold up best under pressure
Early timing reduces risk
Emotional intensity can be an asset if controlled
Big matches require trust in simple patterns
Peak performance is about execution, not expansion
Coaching Takeaway
If Fan Zhendong represents relentless consistency, Zhang Jike represents maximum intensity at the decisive moment.
“Zhang Jike teaches us how to raise our level when everything is on the line — and why preparation must support emotion, not fight it.”
Master the mindset, tactics, and decision-making of consistent match winners with the Match Play Mastery Guide. If you are wanting to win more matches check this out now!
In future editions we will be highlighting lots of different equipment from a range of top table tennis brands.
You can check out the 2025/2026 season range of equipment and great offers from top supplier Bribar Table Tennis.
Simply click the image or link below
Video Of The Week
Click the image or link below for a video about the legend Zhang Jike!
If you would like to share a great video or picture with everyone via Planet Table Tennis News please send to [email protected]
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I hope you have enjoyed this edition
Have a great fortnight of table tennis!
See you in 2 weeks for the next edition
To your continuous improvement
All the best
Phil
