Ma Long interviews, matches and beyond

[RidTheKid]

And thicker as well. All for the better if you ask me, I think the 968 handles are too thin.

 

[vik]

Is he injured or is he pulled off from national team?

 

[yoass]

Is he injured or is he pulled off from national team?

I've been having that cruel phrase, "severe penalty", resounding in my head over and over again, ever since the China Open.

 

[RidTheKid]

Why..?

I've been having that cruel phrase, "severe penalty", resounding in my head over and over again, ever since the China Open.

 

[yoass]

Why..?

What do you mean to ask? Why Ma Long, after leading a protest, was ominously told to expect ‘severe penalty’, along with two other players and two coaches joining in?

Why these players have since shown up at few international tournaments, seeming lesser than themselves often when they did, and the two coaches vanished from public view more or less entirely?

Or why I get reminded of that phrase everytime I see a sign of waning, of sidelining, of fading away?

 

[RidTheKid]

I don't believe ML's lesser performances in World Cup and CSL has anything to do with the China Open debacle. He's been having injury troubles and becoming a father. He's also obviously started to play closer to the table for perhaps several reasons, also has nothing to do with the "ChinaGate".

What do you mean to ask? Why Ma Long, after leading a protest, was ominously told to expect ‘severe penalty’, along with two other players and two coaches joining in?

Why these players have since shown up at few international tournaments, seeming lesser than themselves often when they did, and the two coaches vanished from public view more or less entirely?

Or why I get reminded of that phrase everytime I see a sign of waning, of sidelining, of fading away?

 

[yoass]

I don't believe ML's lesser performances in World Cup and CSL has anything to do with the China Open debacle. He's been having injury troubles and becoming a father. He's also obviously started to play closer to the table for perhaps several reasons, also has nothing to do with the "ChinaGate".

Maybe so, maybe not. What I'm seeing is a muddy period (stretching monthts) after with little public presence, for whatever reason; same for XX and FZD. Maybe there are injuries, maybe not. If there's talk of injuries there might really be injuries after all, of course. He may really be adapting, changing his game, toying with equipment, struggling with the realities of fatherhood and/or aging. For whatever, there's a rather sudden and sharp change downwards that just happens to coincide with that single event.

You may believe it to be unrelated. I'm unconvinced. I hope to see Ma Long rise again, but have feared he was fated for a slow and subtle exit from the main stage after that loss of face shitstorm took place.

 

[RidTheKid]

All you write could certainly be possible, but Fzd winning the Grand slam is also an indication to me that things aren't as serious as we first thought. Both XX and Fzd are showing terrific form lately and presently.

Maybe so, maybe not. What I'm seeing is a muddy period (stretching monthts) after with little public presence, for whatever reason; same for XX and FZD. Maybe there are injuries, maybe not. If there's talk of injuries there might really be injuries after all, of course. He may really be adapting, changing his game, toying with equipment, struggling with the realities of fatherhood and/or aging. For whatever, there's a rather sudden and sharp change downwards that just happens to coincide with that single event.

You may believe it to be unrelated. I'm unconvinced. I hope to see Ma Long rise again, but have feared he was fated for a slow and subtle exit from the main stage after that loss of face shitstorm took place.

 

[yoass]

All you write could certainly be possible, but Fzd winning the Grand slam is also an indication to me that things aren't as serious as we first thought. Both XX and Fzd are showing terrific form lately and presently.

Yes, they did. Yet they too went through the dark; and they were not ring leader, were they?

Yet I too hope you’re right, and it’s all happenstance. I am not sure about that, though.

 

[MaLongFamily Fans Club]

2018 Audi brand annual press conference was held in Beijing on Jan 31 night.

As one of the Audi Vorsprung Circle Enterprising Pioneers, Ma Long attended the event.

 

[MaLongFamily Fans Club]

We understand that many of Ma Long supporters and table tennis fans are concerned about the consequences of China Open forfeit and how much Ma Long's career will be affected. Unfortunately we can do nothing but wait and see.

Some are guessing the real reasons of Ma Long's less attendance in international tournaments after China Open: injuries or penalty or both. Ma Long only played World Cup last year after China Open. He will attend Team World Cup this Feb and German Open this Mar (he will not attend Qatar Open this Mar). The other two players who forfeited in China Open, Fan Zhendong and Xu Xin attended German Open, Swedish Open and Grand Finals last year; Fan attended Hungarian Open this Jan; they will attend Team World Cup, Qatar Open and German Open. Since all three players are able to play internationally, it is not likely that they are on penalty.

Ma Long went to Germany for therapy last Nov, most likely being the reason not attending German Open and Swedish Open (and not qualified for Grand Finals). If you pay careful attention, you may find a scar keep showing on his right wrist (see photos in #213 on Jan 6, #238 on Jan 30 and #231 magazine shooting in late Dec or early Jan). We don't know what therapy will cause such a scar and whether it works. China is experiencing an unusually cold winter. Many players and even spectators who wore down coats caught cold after Super League matches in some stadiums lacking radiators and ACs. Coldness does no good to players' muscles; as a matter of fact, Ma Long, who barely misses any training session if conditions allow, skipped the training in Shanghai's stadium because of the coldness. Sadly it is never a concern of the organizers and players have to take care of themselves.

In terms of Ma Long's performance in Super League this season, during 14 rounds he played (he missed the first round), he won 19 times (Xu Ruifeng, Zhu Linfeng twice, Zhou Kai twice, Ren Hao, Zheng Peifeng, Sun Zheng, Wang Chuqin, Liang Jingkun, Zhou Qihao, Yu Ziyang, Zhang Yudong, Shang Kun, Fang Bo, Xue Fei, Lai Jiaxin, Hao Shuai, Zhao Zihao) and lost 5 times (2-3 and 0-3 to Fan Zhendong, 2-3 to Lin Gaoyuan, 0-3 to Xu Xin, 2-3 to Liang Jingkun). After Round 15 (Jan 30), Ma Long is ranked #3 (19 wins/5 losses) after Lin Gaoyuan (21 wins/2 losses) and Fan Zhendong (18 wins/5 losses). He was ranked #3 (22 wins/4 losses) in 2016 season after Fan Zhendong (25 wins/3 losses) and Liang Jingkun (26 wins/9 losses) , #2 in 2015 season after Fan Zhendong, #2 (22 wins/5 losses) in 2014 season after Zhang Jike (24 wins/7 losses) and #1 (22 wins/2 losses) in 2013 season. His Super League performance has been good and consistent, but not always the best; and we saw his performance in international tournaments as well as other Chinese players, not always correlating with Super League performance. It is too early to judge if he is declining based on his #3 Super League ranking.

Although Ma Long and the whole men's team were not nominated in 2017 CCTV Sports Personality Awards, most likely due to China Open forfeit, he was invited to 2018 Chinese New Year Sports Gala (post #236), a gala organized by General Administration of Sports and CCTV. Coach Liu Guoliang was also invited, not a bad sign from political point of view. Ironically, in preparation for this gala, 2017 CCTV Sports Personality Awards event is postponed.

What really concerns us is whether China National Team, after reformation, can provide good coaching and support like physical training and rehabilitation. There are rumors that Coach Qin Zhijian and Ma Lin will leave National Team, as a consequence of China Open forfeit. Who will be Ma Long's coach remains elusive. CTTA and National Team coaching team have recently showed poor understanding of ITTF new ranking system, unfortunately. Hopefully everything will go back on the right track soon.

 

[RidTheKid]

Thanks!

We understand that many of Ma Long supporters and table tennis fans are concerned about the consequences of China Open forfeit and how much Ma Long's career will be affected. Unfortunately we can do nothing but wait and see.

Some are guessing the real reasons of Ma Long's less attendance in international tournaments after China Open: injuries or penalty or both. Ma Long only played World Cup last year after China Open. He will attend Team World Cup this Feb and German Open this Mar (he will not attend Qatar Open this Mar). The other two players who forfeited in China Open, Fan Zhendong and Xu Xin attended German Open, Swedish Open and Grand Finals last year; Fan attended Hungarian Open this Jan; they will attend Team World Cup, Qatar Open and German Open. Since all three players are able to play internationally, it is not likely that they are on penalty.

Ma Long went to Germany for therapy last Nov, most likely being the reason not attending German Open and Swedish Open (and not qualified for Grand Finals). If you pay careful attention, you may find a scar keep showing on his right wrist (see photos in #213 on Jan 6, #238 on Jan 30 and #231 magazine shooting in late Dec or early Jan). We don't know what therapy will cause such a scar and whether it works. China is experiencing an unusually cold winter. Many players and even spectators who wore down coats caught cold after Super League matches in some stadiums lacking radiators and ACs. Coldness does no good to players' muscles; as a matter of fact, Ma Long, who barely misses any training session if conditions allow, skipped the training in Shanghai's stadium because of the coldness. Sadly it is never a concern of the organizers and players have to take care of themselves.

In terms of Ma Long's performance in Super League this season, during 14 rounds he played (he missed the first round), he won 19 times (Xu Ruifeng, Zhu Linfeng twice, Zhou Kai twice, Ren Hao, Zheng Peifeng, Sun Zheng, Wang Chuqin, Liang Jingkun, Zhou Qihao, Yu Ziyang, Zhang Yudong, Shang Kun, Fang Bo, Xue Fei, Lai Jiaxin, Hao Shuai, Zhao Zihao) and lost 5 times (2-3 and 0-3 to Fan Zhendong, 2-3 to Lin Gaoyuan, 0-3 to Xu Xin, 2-3 to Liang Jingkun). After Round 15 (Jan 30), Ma Long is ranked #3 (19 wins/5 losses) after Lin Gaoyuan (21 wins/2 losses) and Fan Zhendong (18 wins/5 losses). He was ranked #3 (22 wins/4 losses) in 2016 season after Fan Zhendong (25 wins/3 losses) and Liang Jingkun (26 wins/9 losses) , #2 in 2015 season after Fan Zhendong, #2 (22 wins/5 losses) in 2014 season after Zhang Jike (24 wins/7 losses) and #1 (22 wins/2 losses) in 2013 season. His Super League performance has been good and consistent, but not always the best; and we saw his performance in international tournaments as well as other Chinese players, not always correlating with Super League performance. It is too early to judge if he is declining based on his #3 Super League ranking.

Although Ma Long and the whole men's team were not nominated in 2017 CCTV Sports Personality Awards, most likely due to China Open forfeit, he was invited to 2018 Chinese New Year Sports Gala (post #236), a gala organized by General Administration of Sports and CCTV. Coach Liu Guoliang was also invited, not a bad sign from political point of view. Ironically, in preparation for this gala, 2017 CCTV Sports Personality Awards event is postponed.

What really concerns us is whether China National Team, after reformation, can provide good coaching and support like physical training and rehabilitation. There are rumors that Coach Qin Zhijian and Ma Lin will leave National Team, as a consequence of China Open forfeit. Who will be Ma Long's coach remains elusive. CTTA and National Team coaching team have recently showed poor understanding of ITTF new ranking system, unfortunately. Hopefully everything will go back on the right track soon.

 

[vik]

It is strange,he can or must play superleague,toughest competition in cold enviroment,but cannot play internationaly.Fan zhe dong is young ant the best,sure he will play,but Ma long and Xu xin ???

 

[MaLongFamily Fans Club]

During 2018 Chinese New Year Sports Gala filming, Ma Long, Ding Ning, Fan Zhendong, Lin Gaoyuan, and Wang Manyu played with amateur players, commentated by Coach Liu Guoliang.

<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMaLongFamily%2Fvideos%2F813834768741100%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>
(Ding Ning threw the ball back to Ma Long's court and they started smashing and lobbing lol)

They also sang a table tennis themed song.

The Gala will be on air on Feb 17 and 18 on multiple channels.

 

[MaLongFamily Fans Club]

Training in Chaohu on Feb 2. Freezing cold in the stadium, so better warm up in down jacket and play like a ninja.

 

[MaLongFamily Fans Club]

On Feb 3, Team Tianjin Quanjian swept Team Anhui by 3-0 in Chaohu.
In the first set, Ma Long beat Zhu Cheng by 3-0 (11:9, 12:10, 11:5). In the second set, Liu Dingshuo beat Yu Ziyang by 3-2 (8:11, 11:8, 9:11, 11:5, 7:5). In the third set of doubles, Liu Dingshuo / Cheng Jingqi beat Zhou Qihao / Zhu Cheng by 2-1 (11:4, 8:11, 8:6).

Notably, Ma Long used Liu Dingshuo's Yinhe racket in the match. As the stadium was cold, he had to stay close to the radiator while not playing. The match attracted many locals as this was the first time that a top sport event was held in the city and aired on CCTV.

On Feb 6, Team Tianjin Quanjian will face Team Jiangsu in Kunshan.

 

[MaLongFamily Fans Club]

On Feb 6, Ma Long scored twice and led Team Tianjin Quanjian to beat Team Jiangsu by 3-1 in Kunshan.
In the first set, Ma Te beat Kong Lingxuan by 3-0 (11:7, 13:11, 11:7). In the second set, Ma Long beat Zhang Yudong by 3-1 (13:11, 4:11, 11:4, 15:13). In the third set of doubles, Liu Dingshuo / Cheng Jingqi lost to Zhang Yudong / Sun Wen by 1-2 (9:11, 11:6, 8:10). In the fourth set, Ma Long swept Kong Lingxuan by 3-0 (11:8, 11:7, 11:5).

(He used DHS new blade.)

With 10 wins and 7 losses, Team Tianjian Quanjian tie with Bazhou and Shenzhen, after Shandong Weiqiao (13 wins and 4 losses), PLA and Shandong Luneng (12 wins and 5 losses). In the last round of Super League, Team Tianjin Quanjian will face Team Shandong Luneng at home on Feb 10 and they still have chance to reach the 4th place. With 22 wins / 5 losses and 297.6 points, Ma Long is ranked #3 after Fan Zhendong (22 wins / 5 losses, 311.4 points) and Lin Gaoyuan (21 wins / 5 losses, 300.5 points).

 

[MaLongFamily Fans Club]

On Feb 6 2003, Ma Long joined China National Team - Team B and 4 months later he joined Team A.
During 15 years of life in National Team, he grew taller and stronger from 1.68m / 56kg to 1.75m / 70kg; he grew from the youngest in the lineup of World Team Champion to the Captain of Team China and Full Grand Slam winner; and he grew up from a boy to a man of cultivation and responsibility. However, his passion and dedication for table tennis remain the same and he stays young at heart.
He said, "When I play table tennis, I do not have any irrelevant identity. On the court, I regard myself as a young player, and do my best for each point."

 

[lugi2000]

Lets hope Ma Long gets back to his best. Do you know who will be coaching China at the World Cup?

 

[Raylazyfo]

All you write could certainly be possible, but Fzd winning the Grand slam is also an indication to me that things aren't as serious as we first thought. Both XX and Fzd are showing terrific form lately and presently.

You mean FZD won the World Tour Grand Finals. He hasn't completed the grand slam yet