Nah, it is a waste of time to engage in analysis like this when you are a sophisticated TT analyst but trying to defend a statement just to won an argument that you know you would never make in good conscience to a player. Tell Liam Pitchford he is past his prime because he is 31.
okok
so 31 year old English player beat 32 year old Indian player,
very good peak and since you happy he is beating older players
Using your silly analysis, Chuan Chi Yuan and Vladimir Samsonov were past their peak in the 90s. Boll was past his peak in the early 2000s. Waldner was past his prime in 1992 but still played some of his best table tennis well past it. Quadri is also past his peak though his peak was when?
CCY, VS, Dima, they all still preserve they peak level at 31 years old...
Liam is a pity, he is roller coaster mode.
Pitchford beat Dima recently and again, Dima is playing some of the best TT of his career in the German league.
Table tennis strength is not entirely about your ranking and age, especially when you are a player with a history of mental health issues and dealing with competition from new talents. Covid was especially painful. Pitchford is still an extremely strong and dangerous player. He would tell you he is working to keep his best days ahead of him. If Chen Meng listened to people like you, she would never have a second Olympic gold because she is past her prime.
I didn't say Pitchford is not good
I am saying MLTT is attracting too much older players. How difficult is it to just look at the average age of the entire league??
let me answer the Chen Meng part with this again
CCY, VS, Dima, they all still preserve they peak level at 31 years old... Chen Meng too
(Your new best friend - zeio, is the one who wants to retire players, not me
)
Liam is a pity, he is roller coaster mode.
If Liam is still WR15~25 today, keeping his range and not roller coaster, like the others you talked about... then maybe you have a point, but the stats, playing results, etc doesn't justify your point. especially such a poor % in France Pro A, while he is so HOT as you say he is right now..... I mean, MLTT is easy league compared to Pro A no?
But my point is average age of MLTT is too high and saying older players are super good, sure, tell that to the sponsors and get in Aruna and Dima, Timo Boll, just like MLS is getting old stars too and then the league will get its nickname.
So tell me, these old stars, they go to MLTT to gain match experience?? or go there for easy games, like the MLS folks?
Trying to brush off MLTT current avg age issue with Liam is a good player still, is really just being too American imo. It is okay to acknowledge areas that is a concern and make improvements. and as I said, there is 2 young Asians that will be joining next season to help average the age down - while you guys are here thinking Liam will just get younger....
USA has an age issue in table tennis, full stop.
if they can bring in Liam at his peak, then that is truly wonderful. no?
