WTT Champions Montpellier 2025, 10/28-11/2

[Dr Evil]

What a dominant performance by Truls. When he's on, he looks like a WR1. He's topped two big events now in pretty close succession but both were in Europe...I wonder if he can get over the hump outside of "home" territory and push towards that top spot.

I'd say WR2. Like all the other contenders, he needs to prove it against WCQ. But it does look like he's fulfilling his promise as the evolutionary Waldner.

 

[zeio]

What a dominant performance by Truls. When he's on, he looks like a WR1. He's topped two big events now in pretty close succession but both were in Europe...I wonder if he can get over the hump outside of "home" territory and push towards that top spot.

Too many upsets here to tell. Moregard's WTT results, particularly GS, are quite eye-watering.

Most players came off from the continental champs, and China has the National Games upcoming and some of the former with the rest came right off the WTT SCT London 2025.

 

[dewnyc]

Each of the different types of WTT tournaments have their place but I like the WTT Champions ones the most.
There’s just 1 table that everyone can focus on, and they seem to have the least predictable results and most surprises overall.

 

[S2000]

Truls is using AI to play some points. That should not be allowed....

Naah NI

 

[NextLevel]

Especially in the last set where he tired up the score at 7:7. Then he served casually twice and lost both crucial points casually giving back hard earned potential turning point. After that he surrendered and gave Truls last two points without much fight.
But, giving Truls all the credits he deserves who showed such a mastery of first three balls handling handcuffing his opponent all day long. With such a surgical precision, fast reaction and excellent anticipation in close to the table games, off the table top spin rally potency is not as needed as most other pros.

Isaac Quek said that in current TT, you will be forced to beat top players in rally. First strike table tennis is important but Truls won many shots with impeccable placement assisted by AI.

better days or not depends on his attitude, during the award ceremony he didn't even shake hands or congrats Truls once, that's a sore loser right there, his new name should be Sore Matsushima

Gracious losing is a PR thing, had nothing to do with attitude.

 

[NextLevel]

Truls has knee problems and the doctors said they dont know the problem.

Sadly it is going to be downhill from here

@Metaxa spoke about training seriously into his late 20s with a similar problem. Truls may have a short career but he will play at least through his 20s, there is no need to bury him early. Modern medicine also usually manages things much better

 

[NextLevel]

Especially in the last set where he tired up the score at 7:7. Then he served casually twice and lost both crucial points casually giving back hard earned potential turning point. After that he surrendered and gave Truls last two points without much fight.
But, giving Truls all the credits he deserves who showed such a mastery of first three balls handling handcuffing his opponent all day long. With such a surgical precision, fast reaction and excellent anticipation in close to the table games, off the table top spin rally potency is not as needed as most other pros.

Putting every mistake down to mentality is a narrative choice. Usually Sora gets playes to push or return a lot of serves itno his preferred Bomba spots. Truls did not accommodate him, that was the biggest thing.

 

[NextLevel]

Naah NI

NI = Natural Intelligence? AI also stands for Actual Intelligence but in this case, I was too impressed by hitting the corners and the lines and even the upward edges at all the right times. Thats why they say he cant rally because he puts the ball where they don't like it and rather than respect the placement, they want to make it a vice not to give them a ball so they can play macho like in their training.

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

better days or not depends on his attitude, during the award ceremony he didn't even shake hands or congrats Truls once, that's a sore loser right there, his new name should be Sore Matsushima

one day he’ll learn to apologize
Sorry Matsushima

 

[FIXPOINT]

WTT Champions Montpellier 2025 WS Final

WTT Champions Montpellier 2025 MS Final

 

[SFF_lib]

What a dominant performance by Truls. When he's on, he looks like a WR1. He's topped two big events now in pretty close succession but both were in Europe...I wonder if he can get over the hump outside of "home" territory and push towards that top spot.

Why not. Truls has that ZJK type of desire to win, skillful with amazing touch. He's beaten WCQ and LSD.

There will be better days for Sora, but today there's nothing you can do when Truls is playing lights out on both serve and receive. He made the Finals at a WTT Champions event which is progress.

After beating WCQ Sora could've taken Japan to win in the Asian game. Sora's problem is, when things going well his way, he will loosen up, play like WR1 and play a lot more aggressive. When he's behind, he's kind of giving up.

@Metaxa spoke about training seriously into his late 20s with a similar problem. Truls may have a short career but he will play at least through his 20s, there is no need to bury him early. Modern medicine also usually manages things much better

Come on I believe in this guy. If ML recovered a knee surgery in the US after 2018, Truls can do that too. If there is a will, there will be a way.

 

[SFF_lib]

Putting every mistake down to mentality is a narrative choice. Usually Sora gets playes to push or return a lot of serves itno his preferred Bomba spots. Truls did not accommodate him, that was the biggest thing.

Truls hit both side lines with very high precision and quick pace today. Sora really struggled to keep up with that pace.

 

[NextLevel]

Truls hit both side lines with very high precision and quick pace today. Sora really struggled to keep up with that pace.

It's like he has his eyes set on something and this was just one practice ground on the road to it. Truly a dominating performance and it puts Qiu Dang's level and match in perspective.

 

[zeio]

https://weibo.com/7556183438/Qc6X3wsTj
WTT世界乒联
25-11-3 12:00
发布于 北京
#WTT蒙彼利埃冠军赛2025# 🔚

WTT1000+冠军榜更新⬇️

 

[zeio]

Moregard: You have much to learn, Matsushima.

Truls Möregårdh om motståndarens utbrott: ”Får ryta till ibland” (Truls Möregårdh about the opponent's outburst: "I get to roar sometimes")
https://www.svt.se/sport/bordtennis/truls-moregardh-om-motstandarens-utbrott-far-ryta-till-ibland

Uppdaterad igår 19:52Publicerad igår 19:51

Truls Möregårdh gjorde processen kort mot Sora Matsushima i finalen av WTT Champions i franska Montpellier och vann med 4–0.
Då tappade japanen humöret och sparkade bland annat i bordet.
– Han går ner sig väldigt mycket i humör efter första två seten, säger Möregårdh till SVT Sport.

Se när Matsushima får varning efter att ha slagit i väg bollen – och hör Möregårdh om det – i spelaren ovan.

Matushima som är rankad 15:e i världen blev varnad för sitt beteende efter att han slagit bort bollar och sparkat i bordet.

– För mig så får man ryta till ibland. Sparka i bord och så är kanske inte så bra men det är final och jag spelar fläckfritt och har lite tur ibland så det är klart han blir irriterad, säger Truls Möregårdh till SVT Sport.

Möregårdh är inne på att Matushima har som taktik att se hopplös ut när han i själva verket jobbar stenhårt varje boll.

– Den taktiken han har i slutet är läskig. Han kämpar på varje boll men det ser inte ut som det och då spelar han nästan ännu bättre pingis. Det ser lite konstigt ut, som om han inte kämpar, vilket är tufft att spela mot.

(Updated today 19:52Published today 19:51

Truls Möregårdh made short work of Sora Matsushima in the final of the WTT Champions in Montpellier, France, winning 4–0.
Then the Japanese lost his temper and kicked the table, among other things.
– He loses his temper a lot after the first two sets, says Möregårdh to SVT Sport.

Watch when Matsushima gets a warning after hitting the ball – and hear Möregårdh about it – in the player above.

Matushima, who is ranked 15th in the world, was warned for his behavior after knocking balls away and kicking the table.

– For me, you have to shout sometimes. Kicking the table and such is perhaps not so good, but it's a final and I play flawlessly and have a little luck sometimes, so it's clear he gets irritated, says Truls Möregårdh to SVT Sport.

Möregårdh is saying that Matushima's tactic is to look hopeless when in fact he works really hard on every ball.

– The tactics he has at the end are scary. He fights on every ball but it doesn't look like it and then he almost plays even better ping-pong. It looks a bit strange, as if he's not fighting, which is tough to play against.)

 

[zeio]

Molin feels the heat.

"J’en ai marre de ce débat sur son mental", l’exaspération du coach d’Alexis Lebrun après sa défaite en demi-finale du WTT Champions de Montpellier ("I'm fed up with this debate about his mental game," exclaimed Alexis Lebrun's coach after his defeat in the semi-finals of the WTT Champions in Montpellier.)
https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/tennis-d...champions-de-montpellier_AV-202511020288.html

Après la rencontre, l’aîné des frères Lebrun a reçu le soutien de son entraîneur Nathanaël Molin, qui s’est agacé en zone mixte lorsqu’une question lui a été posée sur la force mentale de son protégé. "Moi, j’ai vachement de mal quand on me parle de ça", a répondu l’entraîneur de 39 ans. "Quand un mec est triple champion d’Europe, top 10 mondial, là est il 12e… Je ne sais pas ce que ça veut dire. Il a ses particularités, mais quel joueur n’en a pas? (…) On parle de joueurs exceptionnels, donc j’en ai un peu marre de ce débat. Il ne me parle pas ce débat. Aujourd’hui, il fait une demi-finale. Alors oui, il est plus démonstratif, mais il sait gagner. Il l’a prouvé à mille reprises."
"Je ne répondrai plus à ces questions"

"Ça veut dire quoi ce truc d’être plus fort ou moins fort mentalement? J’ai du mal", a poursuivi Nathanaël Molin. "On me pose tout le temps cette question et j’en ai marre de la traiter en fait. Regardez le palmarès! Il le dit à chaque fois, quand on est faible mentalement, vous croyez qu’on fait ça? Vous croyez que vous avez ce type de palmarès. Je ne crois pas, donc il faut arrêter d’aller dans ce débat. C’est un débat qui est clos et je ne répondrai plus à ces questions."

Alexis Lebrun, lui, a reconnu la supériorité de son adversaire scandinave lors de cette rencontre: "Je trouve qu'il a été super fort. Il jouait tellement bien, il cassait le rythme avec son revers, il variait bien les trajectoires et c'était très dur pour moi de trouver ma ligne de sol", a reconnu Alexis Lebrun au micro de RMC Sport . "Même si sur ce tournoi j'ai un très gros niveau dans l'échange, il est très puissant, il varie bien ses trajectoires. Je ne rate pas mon match mais il m'a dominé du début à la fin. Il n'y a pas tant de regrets que ça au final. Quand on voit les cinq sets, il était au-dessus. Ça fait mal mais c'est comme ça".

(After the match, the elder of the Lebrun brothers received support from his coach, Nathanaël Molin, who became irritated in the mixed zone when asked about his protégé's mental strength. "I really struggle when people talk to me about that," replied the 39-year-old coach. "When a guy is a three-time European champion, a top 10 player in the world, and now he's ranked 12th... I don't know what that means. He has his strengths, but what player doesn't? (...) We're talking about exceptional players, so I'm a bit tired of this debate. I don't care about this debate. Today, he's in a semi-final. So yes, he's more demonstrative, but he knows how to win. He's proven it a thousand times."
"I will no longer answer these questions."

"What does this whole 'more or less mentally strong' thing even mean? I struggle with it," Nathanaël Molin continued. "I get asked this question all the time, and frankly, I'm tired of addressing it. Look at his record! He says it every time: when you're mentally weak, do you think you achieve that? Do you think you have that kind of record? I don't think so, so we need to stop this debate. It's a closed debate, and I won't answer these questions anymore."

Alexis Lebrun acknowledged his Scandinavian opponent's superiority in the match: "I thought he was incredibly strong. He played so well, he disrupted the rhythm with his backhand, he varied his shots well, and it was very difficult for me to find my baseline," Lebrun told RMC Sport. "Even though I've been playing at a very high level in the rallies at this tournament, he's very powerful and varies his shots well. I didn't have a bad match, but he dominated me from start to finish. In the end, there aren't that many regrets. When you look at the five sets, he was simply better. It hurts, but that's how it goes.")

WTT Montpellier : "Le mental d'Alexis ? J'en ai un peu marre de ce débat" proteste Nathanaël Molin à propos du Français (WTT Montpellier: "Alexis's mental state? I'm a bit tired of this debate," protests Nathanaël Molin about the Frenchman)
https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/tennis-d...lin-a-propos-du-francais_VN-202511020279.html

 

[M51]

Yeah, cut him some slack.

We're cutting these brats way too much slack as is.

Back in the day, no self-respecting coach would have tolerated such behavior.

 

[NextLevel]

Molin feels the heat.

"I'm fed up with this debate about his mental game," exclaimed Alexis Lebrun's coach after his defeat in the semi-finals of the WTT Champions in Montpellier .
https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/tennis-d...champions-de-montpellier_AV-202511020288.html

(After the match, the elder of the Lebrun brothers received support from his coach, Nathanaël Molin, who became irritated in the mixed zone when asked about his protégé's mental strength. "I really struggle when people talk to me about that," replied the 39-year-old coach. "When a guy is a three-time European champion, a top 10 player in the world, and now he's ranked 12th... I don't know what that means. He has his strengths, but what player doesn't? (...) We're talking about exceptional players, so I'm a bit tired of this debate. I don't care about this debate. Today, he's in a semi-final. So yes, he's more demonstrative, but he knows how to win. He's proven it a thousand times."
"I will no longer answer these questions."

"What does this whole 'more or less mentally strong' thing even mean? I struggle with it," Nathanaël Molin continued. "I get asked this question all the time, and frankly, I'm tired of addressing it. Look at his record! He says it every time: when you're mentally weak, do you think you achieve that? Do you think you have that kind of record? I don't think so, so we need to stop this debate. It's a closed debate, and I won't answer these questions anymore."

Alexis Lebrun acknowledged his Scandinavian opponent's superiority in the match: "I thought he was incredibly strong. He played so well, he disrupted the rhythm with his backhand, he varied his shots well, and it was very difficult for me to find my baseline," Lebrun told RMC Sport. "Even though I've been playing at a very high level in the rallies at this tournament, he's very powerful and varies his shots well. I didn't have a bad match, but he dominated me from start to finish. In the end, there aren't that many regrets. When you look at the five sets, he was simply better. It hurts, but that's how it goes.")

WTT Montpellier: "Alexis's mental state? I'm a bit tired of this debate , " protests Nathanaël Molin about the Frenchman .
https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/tennis-d...lin-a-propos-du-francais_VN-202511020279.html

Molin sounds like me, oh well...

 

[NextLevel]

Moregard: You have much to learn, Matsushima.

Truls Möregårdh about the opponent's outburst: "I get to roar sometimes"
https://www.svt.se/sport/bordtennis/truls-moregardh-om-motstandarens-utbrott-far-ryta-till-ibland

(Updated today 19:52Published today 19:51

Truls Möregårdh made short work of Sora Matsushima in the final of the WTT Champions in Montpellier, France, winning 4–0.
Then the Japanese lost his temper and kicked the table, among other things.
– He loses his temper a lot after the first two sets, says Möregårdh to SVT Sport.

Watch when Matsushima gets a warning after hitting the ball – and hear Möregårdh about it – in the player above.

Matushima, who is ranked 15th in the world, was warned for his behavior after knocking balls away and kicking the table.

– For me, you have to shout sometimes. Kicking the table and such is perhaps not so good, but it's a final and I play flawlessly and have a little luck sometimes, so it's clear he gets irritated, says Truls Möregårdh to SVT Sport.

Möregårdh is saying that Matushima's tactic is to look hopeless when in fact he works really hard on every ball.

– The tactics he has at the end are scary. He fights on every ball but it doesn't look like it and then he almost plays even better ping-pong. It looks a bit strange, as if he's not fighting, which is tough to play against.)

The kid who supposedly has bad attitude and doesn't care kicks the table...

 

[zeio]

Europe can't fall any lower. Still losing money.

Malgré « l'une des plus belles salles » et un public « incroyable », le futur du WTT Champions de Montpellier est menacé (Despite having "one of the most beautiful venues" and an "incredible" audience, the future of the WTT Champions in Montpellier is threatened)
https://www.lequipe.fr/Tennis-de-ta...t-champions-de-montpellier-est-menace/1606477

If Montpellier accueillera de new WTT Champions l'année prochaine, the avenir du tournoi héraultais, à partir de 2027, reste flou. Because the WTT has another idea about the face.

Béatrice Avignon , at Montpellier Published on November 1st, 2025 at 7:54 p.m

Steve Dainton adore the Tournoi de Montpellier, dont the second edition s'achève ce dimanche. The General Director of the World Table Tennis, the Société Commerciale chargée by the Fédération Internationale de Tennis de Table (ITTF) d'organizer of the circuit international, the clame à qui veut l'entendre: « This tournoi is vraiment en train de venir l'un de mes événements favoris ! Beautiful atmosphere, good ambience, with one of the plus belles halls for the tennis on the table. You have heard about the action, and the French public is incroyable. »

Organized for the first time in a row, after three negotiations, the tournoi héraultais, poursuivant the successes of Jeux Olympiques, available séduit and obtenu deux new éditions. Moyennant, in 2024, an investment initially permettant de boucler the budget de 2.5 million d'euros, comme c'est le cas pour certains new tournois (les Grands Smashes de Las Vegas et de Suède par example, launcés this année), the WTT devrait parvenir à équilibrer les comptes en 2025, and receiving the benefits in 2026.

Le tournoi pourrait déménager​

Et pour 2027? « Nous discussions déjà de la suite, poursuit Steve Dainton. Nous sommes satisfaits, and espérons can continuer en France. À Montpellier ou ailleurs... » It's not in the cache, the Australian patron of the WTT will have the option of déménager l'événement français à Paris, évoquant l'Accor Arena or l'Adidas Arena. An idea surprenante for Gilles Erb, the president of the French Federation, who approved the new this season in Montpellier. « Ils pensent que la France devrait organiser un Grand Smash (10 jours de competition, cinq tableaux, 256 concurrents, men and women confondus, en simple, 6 million d'euros de budget), explique-t-il. Mais pourquoi balayer ce Champions à Montpellier, who is a pépite? »

The FFTT, after the candidature of the prefecture of the Hérault for the Mondiaux 2027 , researched plutôt, for the moment, an event «qui décerne un title ou qualifie pour les Jeux Olympiques», en plus du Champions Montpelliérain. « I crois qu'on pourrait imaginer un Grand Smash plutôt vers 2028 ou 2029, poursuit Erb. Pour qu'entre-temps, nous fassions encore grandir notre marché, notre modèle économique, faire venir d'autres partenaires, pour qu'on soit plus forts. Parce que je peux signer demain, et je me casse la gueule après-demain... » Les négociations vont poursuivre leur cours, la France pouvant compter sur sa new puissance, puisqu'elle compte parmi les trois principaux marchés pongistes au monde aujourd'hui, avec la Chine et le Japan. Et le deuxième en terms de couverture médiatique, derrière la Chine.

(While Montpellier will host new WTT Champions next year, the future of the tournament in the Hérault region, starting in 2027, remains uncertain. Because the WTT has another idea about the future.

Béatrice Avignon, at Montpellier Published on November 1, 2025 at 7:54 p.m.

Steve Dainton loves the Montpellier Tournament, whose second edition concludes this Sunday. The General Director of World Table Tennis, the commercial company tasked by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) with organizing the international circuit, proclaims it to anyone who will listen: “This tournament is really becoming one of my favorite events! Beautiful atmosphere, great ambiance, with one of the most beautiful halls for table tennis. You have heard about the action, and the French public is incredible.” "

Organized for the first time in a row, after three rounds of negotiations, the Montpellier tournament, following the success of the Olympic Games, has attracted attention and secured two new editions. With an initial investment in 2024 to cover the €2.5 million budget, as is the case for some new tournaments (such as the Grand Smashes in Las Vegas and Sweden, launched this year), the WTT should be able to balance the books in 2025 and recoup its losses in 2026.

The tournament could relocate​

And what about 2027? "We are already discussing the future," continues Steve Dainton. "We are satisfied and hope to continue in France. In Montpellier or elsewhere..." It's not in the cards; the Australian patron of the WTT will have the option of moving the French event to Paris, mentioning the Accor Arena or the Adidas Arena. A surprising idea for Gilles Erb, the president of the French Federation, who approved the new format this season in Montpellier. "They think France should organize a Grand Smash (10 days of competition, five draws, 256 competitors, men and women combined, in singles, €6 million budget)," he explains. "But why sweep aside this Champions in Montpellier, which is a gem?"

Following the Hérault prefecture's bid to host the 2027 World Championships, the French Table Tennis Federation (FFTT) is currently seeking an event "that awards a title or qualifies for the Olympic Games," in addition to the Montpellier Championships. "I think we could imagine a Grand Smash tournament around 2028 or 2029," Erb continued. "So that in the meantime, we can further grow our market, our economic model, attract other partners, and become stronger. Because I could sign tomorrow, and I could fall flat on my face the day after..." Negotiations will continue, as France can rely on its newfound power, being among the top three table tennis markets in the world today, along with China and Japan. And second in terms of media coverage, after China.)