FZD rumor

[Tony's Table Tennis]

WLQ has rumored to recall back FZD to the CNT.

Lets see if more news will surface.

 

[TTLOVE]

They need FZD to rebuild the strongest team.

WCQ is the best option right now; LSD is not very stable.

They need to learn from the previous generation's greatness. Ma Long has retired, but FZD could still play.

 

[Hayashi]

Source?

 

[Shine]

We'd see. I think the curtains have closed on that, and Fan enjoys his autonomy. The rumors may just Chinese fans trying to enact a self fulfilling prophecy.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

I think the curtains have closed on that,

me too.

 

[zeio]

We'd see. I think the curtains have closed on that, and Fan enjoys his autonomy. The rumors may just Chinese fans trying to enact a self fulfilling prophecy.

The rumor has been floating since after WTTC Doha. I haven't really looked into it...

Yet, in the interview with Phoenix TV published in late July (here for the original, here with sub), FZD said "I don't have that much power to make that decision" when asked about his potential return to CNT.

Posted on 2025/5/29 by a legit table tennis Youtube channel in HKG (with media access and interviews of CNT players playing local competitions)
世乒賽國乒男雙慘敗 王勵勤果斷召回樊振東 (Utter defeat in doubles for national table tennis at WTTC | WLQ decisively summons FZD)
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vbcxubba29g

Published on 2025/6/6, this article gets quoted a lot by Chinese self-media for "leaking" that FZD has been summoned by WLQ
Fan kommt: Transfer-Hammer löst Boom aus
https://www.zdfheute.de/sport/tischtennis-fan-zhendong-china-1-fc-saarbruecken-100.html

Nach dem schwachen Abschneiden der Chinesen bei der WM in Doha im Mai kündigte Wang Liqin, Präsident des chinesischen Tischtennis-Verbands, allerdings an, man werde Fan Zhendong ins Nationalteam zurückbeordern. Unabhängig davon erklärte der Verband aber, man unterstütze dessen Wechsel nach Deutschland.

(However, following the Chinese team's poor performance at the World Championships in Doha in May, Wang Liqin, president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, announced that they would recall Fan Zhendong to the national team. However, the association stated that it supported his move to Germany.)

 

[zeio]

Source?

Never ask for that from the OP. It didn't end well the last time and only time...

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Source?

Rumor has it vs source has it, is pretty different, isn’t it?

I personally dont see it happening, FZD is so happy to be out of toxic environment and this will be shameful to CNT players culture

 

[JackJohnson]

If FZD does come back it will only be a year or two before the 2028 Olympics to get ranking points and make sure he ranks either No 1 or 2 so that the players from China do not meet until the final at the Olympics.

I would only see this happening if they are unable to find quality players (if WCQ and LSD are still inconsistent in their results) or one of the main players either WCQ or LSD get seriously injured. I don’t see LJK or LGY making it to LA2028 but FZD maybe due to silver and gold mens singles medals he has won.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

If FZD does come back it will only be a year or two before the 2028 Olympics to get ranking points and make sure he ranks either No 1 or 2 so that the players from China do not meet until the final at the Olympics.

I would only see this happening if they are unable to find quality players (if WCQ and LSD are still inconsistent in their results) or one of the main players either WCQ or LSD get seriously injured. I don’t see LJK or LGY making it to LA2028 but FZD maybe due to silver and gold mens singles medals he has won.

To me, returning to CNT might not only be as a “player”.

 

[JackJohnson]

To me, returning to CNT might not only be as a “player”.

Could be that as well but I’m leaning more towards coming back as a player due to the inconsistent results from the other players.

If he does come back it probably won’t be until mid 2026 or a bit later due to his TTBL and Champions League contract as that will be when the season ends around there unless China somehow pay the penalty fees for cancelling FZD TTBL and CL contract which I feel is unlikely but not impossible, it depends how desperate they are on having FZD back.

 

[John_]

I don't think it's very likely. It's pretty well known that the cnt is toxic and doesn't respect players or coaches. In Germany he looks like he's having fun and being appreciated, I doubt he'll go back, unless he's threatened/forced, which wouldn't really be that big of a surprise.

 

[TensorBackhand]

I don't think it's very likely. It's pretty well known that the cnt is toxic and doesn't respect players or coaches. In Germany he looks like he's having fun and being appreciated, I doubt he'll go back, unless he's threatened/forced, which wouldn't really be that big of a surprise.

I think FZD should go play WTT for Macao

 

[John_]

I think FZD should go play WTT for Macao

I think that's the worst thing he can do.

 

[I Love Anders Lind]

I think FZD should go play WTT for Macao

wtt prize money is trash compared to league, players only play it for ranking points. if fzd really does a zhu yuling and joins macao, he wont be able to play non wtt events (olympics,wttc, worldcup etc) which makes ranking pts pointless to him.

not to mention the vitirol he'd have to face. basically, it doesnt make sense whichever way u cut it

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

wtt prize money is trash compared to league, players only play it for ranking points.

you are right

it is to get ranking points, to get world ranking, to get sponsorship endorsements.
FZD has all that already, so no longer needs ranking points.

 

[XpingpingpongpongX]

I think FZD will very likely return for the 2028 OG. Just my speculations:
1. I have been hearing that WLQ and FZD are very close.
2. WCQ's FH rally is not consistent. He relies on his serves to get advantages. But the 2028 OG is in the USA. Knowing that the USA and China are expected to compete for the medal count, I would expect the umpires being more strict on legal serves.
3. LSD is young and has potentials. But he has not proven himself on the big stages yet.
4. This will be WLQ's first OG, he would definitely want to have the safest option.
5. OG is tempting to all the pro players. After the Paris OG, Chen Meng said in an interview that, if she is allowed to compete for the 2028 OG, she would have chosen not to retire. And Chen Meng has suffered even more than FZD from the fan culture. So I believe FZD would want to compete also.

 

[NetProphet]

If FZD does come back it will only be a year or two before the 2028 Olympics to get ranking points and make sure he ranks either No 1 or 2 so that the players from China do not meet until the final at the Olympics.

I would only see this happening if they are unable to find quality players (if WCQ and LSD are still inconsistent in their results) or one of the main players either WCQ or LSD get seriously injured. I don’t see LJK or LGY making it to LA2028 but FZD maybe due to silver and gold mens singles medals he has won.

But this assume that FZD can rocket to the top without question, and there is a huge question mark over that. He wasn't even the WR1 when he retired, or heading into the Olympics. He'd been patchy for a while and if he doesn't 100% have the desire to be the absolute best then he cannot be.
No, it will not be for the reason you state, the men's game is too difficult now and the top 20 is a minefield of results for everyone. That is why WCQ and LSD are inconsistent as you put it. The field is just so strong.
FZD has been through a lot and already had 12 yrs of CNT at age 27. I don't think he can sail to the top and perpetually remain there as that 1 or 2 you mention.
He would almost guarantee China the team event though...

 

[mightymouse]

I don't think FZD should return to CNT. Let's say he is back and make it to the Olympics, and then in the final he faces WCQ. Who do you think the CNT would pick as the winner?

If I were him, I would just enjoy my freedom now and don't care about CNT anymore.

 

[NextLevel]

I don't think FZD should return to CNT. Let's say he is back and make it to the Olympics, and then in the final he faces WCQ. Who do you think the CNT would pick as the winner?

If I were him, I would just enjoy my freedom now and don't care about CNT anymore.

You think the CNT picked Chen Meng as the winner? Seriously?