Ma Long interviews, matches and beyond

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The first issue of WSJ. China magazine featuring Ma Long.
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Ma Long, “Practice, and fight for victory.
Beat opponents, and be the champion.
Fulfill expectations, and take new challenges.
Prove myself, defend glory, and be outstanding.”

Q: What’s your daily routine?
A: For a normal training day, we gather at 7:15 and start training from 8:30 to 11:30. Afternoon session is from 3:30 to 6:00.

Q: Which match is most unforgettable?
A: Men’s singles final at 2019 World Championships. This is my first final against an European player at such major tournament.

Q: Is that match the most difficult win for you?
A: Yes. It is the most unforgettable and most difficult match. Winning that match is the greatest victory.

Q: What’s the next goal in your career?
A: Tokyo Olympic Games next year.

Q: What’s in your mind before, during and after a match?
A: Before a match, there are many scenes in my mind, about wins, about losses, about possible difficulties in the match, -preparations. During a match, I try to put all my mind on techniques and tactics.

Q: What’s the most memorable moment recently?
A: Being with my teammates, my team. We hang around together every day and we are very close friends. The moments to share my feelings with them, no matter winning or losing, are important to me.

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T2 Diamond Malaysia drawing ceremony
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T2 Diamond Malaysia press conference
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On Jul 18, Ma Long beat Simon Gauzy by 4-1 (11:7, 11:9, 11:4, 6:11, 5:0) in R16 of T2 Diamond Malaysia.
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After match, Ma Long said new stadium, new rule and new opponent are all challenging. FAST5 is too fast to think and he is still getting used to it. For the tournament, he doesn't think about how far he will go and just plays match by match.
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ITTF Interview on Jul 18
Q: I watched the previous matches and found the players were affected by the fast pace of T2 Diamond. I don't find the pace bothered you.
A: Really? I played it as a normal match and didn't think of the new rule.
Q: You lobbed?
A: I lobbed and he tricked me (drop shot).
Q: I mean the first one, you lobbed and won.
A: He lobbed and I won. I lobbed and he won. I also tricked him (drop shot) once when he lobbed.
Q: To break even. What do you think of the tournament, including the table, stadium.
A: Stadium, rules, ball, format are all new challenges. Simon is also a new opponent. We played only once before in 2017 World Cup bronze medal match.
Q: This is your third tournament in a row. How is your form after two-day break?
A: My mind does not get rest in this two-day break because the matches are awaiting. I feel very tired.
Q: As a veteran, you have to keep on.
A: I have no choice. This tournament gives extra ranking points so that I have to attend.


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According to Table Tennis World Magazine, Team China complaint about the tight schedule of tournaments in July and non-standard format of T2 Diamond. Coaching team said Chinese players have to attend T2 Diamond for the extra ranking points but the results will not affect the evaluations for attending Tokyo Olympic Games. Ma Long said T2 Diamond was not in his original tournaments plan. But if he didn't come, he would miss the extra ranking points and be disadvantageous in ranking. He was quite concerned about his physical condition.
China National Championships will take place right after T2 Diamond(7/23-8/2, men's singles main draw 7/27-29). To prepare for Tokyo Olympic Games, only mixed doubles, singles and team events will be played. So far, Ma Long only appears in men's singles entries list as #4 seed representing Beijing. Team China coaching team said core players may withdraw China National Championships for rest and rehabilitation.
 
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Lefty Ma Long?
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On Jul 20, Ma Long lost to Lin Yun-ju by 2-4 (11:8, 2:11, 11:4, 8:11, 3:5*, 4:5*) ​​​in the quarterfinal at T2 Diamond Malaysia.
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In the post-match interview, Ma Long said the defeat doesn't matter as it is just a league match. He thanked fans for supporting him and supporting table tennis.


After a busy July, Ma Long will be ranked #3 in both August and September ITTF World Rankings after Xu Xin and Fan Zhendong and above Lin Gaoyuan. He is not on the entries list of Bulgaria Open and Czech Open in August so far, but that won't affect September World Rankings.


Hopefully he can get some rest and rehabilitation soon.
 
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On Jul 23, as the cover character of the first issue of WSJ. Magazine China edition, Ma Long was invited to the magazine's launching dinner in Da Vittorio Shanghai. Among guests were China Media Capital CEO Li Ruigang, News Corp CEO Robert Thomson, WSJ. Magazine Editor in Chief Kristina O'Neill.
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On Jul 24, Ma Long updated his Sina Weibo for 1 year countdown to 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, as a Team Visa athlete.


According to CCTV journalist, Ma Long as well as Ding Ning and Liu Shiwen will withdraw 2019 China National Championships for a break. According to Head Coach Qin Zhijian's interview with Table Tennis World Magazine, Ma Long, Xu Xin and Fan Zhendong withdraw 2019 China National Championships for different reasons. After consecutive tournaments, Ma Long asked for a rehabilitation break. Team China will arrange a special group to help him on physical training and injury prevention in order to prepare for major tournaments later this year.


It is said that Team China will go to USA for a training camp soon and details are not released yet.


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Ma Long and Wang Chuqin talking about men's doubles at 2019 World Championships


(From Table Tennis World Magazine 2019 Jun issue)
Ma Long never expected to win men's doubles champion at 2019 World Championships. "I literally didn't practice doubles during the closed training except that Wang Chuqin and I played two internal matches. The results were not good." (*On Mar 15, they lost to Zhang Yudong / Sun Wen by 1-3 and beat Cheng Jingqi / Zhao Zihao by 4-2.)
Ma Long even forgot the time for doubles drawing and took a nap. "When I woke up, Wang Chuqin told me that the draw was out. If things went well, we wouldn't meet our teammates before the semifinal. Looking at the draw, I joked with him, if we could beat the Korean pair in the quarterfinal, we would win the champion." Wang Chuqin nodded and said "Sure." Ma Long still doesn't know if Wang Chuqin meant it or joked as well.
They won both the quarterfinal and semifinal when trailing behind. Ma Long said, their pair depended on Wang Chuqin's performance to turn around the table. "When trailing, we need him to make winner shots. I do the control but that's not enough. If he underperforms or makes too many errors, we would lose quickly. From the technical angle, the semifinal match is the real final. Wang Chuqin played his technical strength and broke the ice. We leveled up and gained confidence. When leading, I did the control and the match was on our side."
Troubled with knee injury and attending both singles and doubles events, Ma Long didn't save any energy in the doubles matches. "I don't feel as tired as at 2017 World Championships. Maybe because the pressure is not as great as last time. After I lost doubles in 2017, I still felt very tired playing singles. This time I don't feel very tired playing both till the end."
Winning doubles champion is a positive boost to Ma Long, "I have at least one gold medal in my pocket."


(From Table Tennis World Magazine 2019 Jul issue)
Q: What's your reaction when you was told to play doubles with Ma Long?
Wang Chuqin: 3 or 4 days after the closed training started, I was told to pair with Ma Long. The original plan was me and Liang Jingkun. Then the team made adjustments after we mixed up. I was quite excited and nervous. The pressure is greater to pair with Brother Long.
Q: In which stage of the closed training did you start to practice doubles with Ma Long?
Wang Chuqin: We didn't practice at all. We played 1 or 2 internal matches and didn't work out. Although I didn't practice with him, he gave me advice after he finished training. On break days, he took me out for some rest. We talked a lot.
Q: Ma Long told you that if your pair can beat Jeoung Youngsik / Lee Sangsu, you can win the champion. He said he was joking and not sure if you took it seriously. What did you think when you answered "Sure" to him.
Wang Chuqin: I went to the drawing ceremony by myself and Brother Long totally forgot. I didn't expect to win the champion. Brother Long may think the Korean pair is the most difficult to play with. I also think if we can beat them, we have some chance. To be frank, Brother Long and I, Liang Jingkun / Lin Gaoyuan, neither pair did great during the closed training. Looking at the draw, I was not very confident. All other pairs seemed very strong to me.
Q: The first match was not easy at all. Was it because you were nervous and not confident? *They beat Czech's Tomas Polansky / Pavel Sirucek by 4-1 (8:11, 15:13, 11:9, 11:3, 11:4).
Wang Chuqin: The first match was the worst match I played in the whole tournament. I knew that I wouldn't play well because I was so nervous. At 10:10 in the second game, I missed the shot. 0-1 down, 10:11 down. I was stressed out. Brother Long was a little angry but he could do nothing but encourage me. We didn't have much coordination and cooperation. We won by our singles abilities.
Q: Did you prepare for the matches by yourself?
Wang Chuqin: Yes, Coach and I studied the footage. I didn't discuss with Brother Long until we entered the court, including the final, Brother Long discussed a little bit with me when he was taking treatment. I didn't think too much during preparations. I have to be myself and I trust Brother Long.
Q: Which match made you find your good form?
Wang Chuqin: It must be the quarterfinal against Lee Sangsu / Jeoung Youngsik. I felt I was in a good form afterwards. Brother Long just finished a singles match and didn't fully adjust to the doubles at the beginning. In the first game, he made several unforced errors and didn't make good returns. At that moment I thought, I have to take some load off him and make him find a better form. If we can keep winning, he can be more positive in singles.
Q: After the quarterfinal, did you think of what Ma Long said about the draw?
Wang Chuqin: Yes, I thought about it. I was very eager to win every upcoming match and win the champion. The semifinal against teammates was very tough. We was at least 4 points behind in the first two games. Brother Long and I were quite calm when we were catching up and let the opponents make mistakes. I think in every match, Brother Long is the commander and I am the soldier to take the order and attack.
Q: Before the tournament, you were asked what you have learnt from Ma Long and you didn't answer. Can you answer now?
Wang Chuqin: Self-discipline off the court. I was following Brother Long during World Championships when to do what. He arranges every day into sessions. Very neat. I was quite comfortable with that pace. I thought I had high standards on myself when I prepared for Asian Games or Youth Olympic Games. But compared to Brother Long, my standards are too low.
Be strict to myself off the court and then I may be able to control myself on the court. Brother Long didn't play very outstandingly during the tournament, singles or doubles. But that's why he is outstanding - consistency. Every one watching him is assured. That's what I have to learn from him most.
 
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Last year, together with China Youth Development Foundation, we launched a crowd funding for Project Hope Happy Sports Playground named after Ma Long. This Jul, the second playground with sports facilities in a needy rural primary school in Liaoning Province is built with donation and ready for kids.
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On Aug 2, Ma Long was invited to Audi Sport Night at Zhejiang Circuit.
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On Aug 5, Team China left Beijing for Los Angeles. They will have a 3-week closed training camp in the States.
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The legend continues.
Three years since Ma Long became Full Grand Slam winner at 2016 Rio Olympic Games, he claimed another 10 singles champions including 2 at World Championships (2017, 2019), 1 at China National Games (2017), 6 at World Tour Platinum events (2017 Qatar Open, 2017 Japan Open, 2018 German Open, 2018 China Open, 2019 Qatar Open, 2019 China Open) and 1 at World Tour Grand Finals (2016).
He won another 4 team champions: 2018 World Team Cup, 2018 World Team Championships, 2017 Asian championships, 2018 China National Championships as well as 5 doubles champions: 1 at World Championships (2019), 4 at World Tour events (2016 China Open, 2017 Japan Open, 2018 German Open, 2018 Bulgaria Open). In addition, he received MVP at 2017-2018 China Super League.
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Team China arrived in Los Angeles and had some relaxing time before they started training in UCLA.
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Ma Long will not attend Bulgaria Open and Czech Open this Aug. The next tournament will be 2019 Asian Championships (Sep 15 - 22). The lineup of Team China is not out yet while Ma Long is likely to play team and singles events. The team event is of great importance as the team winner will be qualified for 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games team event as well as two spots for singles event. Ma Long is also invited to 2019 men's World Cup (Nov 29 - Dec 1) as the current World Champion. Hopefully he will attend the event in Chengdu.
 
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CTTA announced the final Team China line-up for 2019 Asian Championships. Ma Long was on the tentative list for men's team event. Now Xu Xin, Fan Zhendong, Lin Gaoyuan, Liang Jingkun and Wang Chuqin will play men's team and men's singles. Men's doubles: Xu Xin / Fan Zhendong, Lin Gaoyuan / Liang Jingkun. Women's team and singles: Ding Ning, Liu Shiwen, Chen Meng, Wang Manyu and Sun Yingsha. Women's doubles, Ding Ning / Zhu Yuling, Wang Manyu / Chen Meng. Mixed doubles: Xu Xin / Liu Shiwen, Wang Chuqin / Sun Yingsha.
T2 Diamond China (Sep 26 - 29) was postponed and Ma Long is not on the entries list of 2019 Swedish Open (Oct 1 - 6), which means he will not attend any tournament for another month. He did not seem to attend any recent Team China technical training in UCLA or Ping Pong Diplomacy event at Nixon Library. Hopefully he is getting more time for rehabilitation.
 
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Table Tennis World Magazine 2019 Sep issue Star Q&A
Q: What's your habit during matches?
Ma Long: Wipe the table with my towel
Q: What personal item other than sport gears do you always bring during tournaments?
Ma Long: My pillow
Q: Which match is the most memorable?
Ma Long: Too many memorable matches, none is the most.
Q: What motivates you to play table tennis, or supports you to reach where you are?
Ma Long: Habit
Q: What are the gains and losses that table tennis brings you?
Ma Long: All I have now are gained from table tennis. I don't feel I lose anything.
Q: Do you ever not feel like playing table tennis? Why?
Ma Long: Sometimes, at defeat.
 
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What equipment did Ma Long use when he first learnt to play table tennis? According to book "Small ball, big world", which includes 60 interviews with table tennis people by Xinmin Evening News and DHS, Ma Long used DHS 08 blade when he started learning table tennis. His coach trimmed the blade because it was too heavy for him. Ma Long also used DHS G888 rubber for quite a while.
 
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Ma Long is not on the entries list for 2019 German Open (Oct 8-13) which means he will not attend any tournament in Sep and Oct. He is currently in USA with physiotherapist Rafal Hejna for more treatment and rehabilitation.

I thought his injury was under control, since he played some events this year.
His injury got worse?
 
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"The injuries do not go away though Ma Long won champions." said CNT physician Wang Duchun.

According to Aug issue of Japan's World Table Tennis Magazine, when Ma Long was in Austria during the week before 2019 WTTC, he was not able to attend training (during CNT closed training, he barely did technical training, mainly rehabilitation and physical training). His left knee was painful and tired. His neck problem broke out. Too painful to walk, he had to spend several days lying in bed. Later he came to the court, only to watch teammates training. He was just allowed to do cycling in the gym. When he was in Budapest and practiced with Team USA, his neck issue worsened.


When Wang Chuqin who shared a room with Ma Long at 2019 WTTC, described Ma Long as Superman, most likely he meant it , not only a compliment.
 
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Shanghai International PingPong Festival (Sep 25 - Oct 3) was at ITTF Museum.
Fans souvenirs in support of Ma Long from our fans club were on exhibition!
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Oct 1 is China's National Day. Ma Long updated his Sina Weibo to express best wishes and national pride.
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It is said that Baby Dragon's nickname is Mario! Guess why Ma Long named him as Ma-Rio.
 
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On Oct 11, Ma Long returned to Beijing after treatment and rehabilitation.


He is on the entries list of 2019 Team World Cup (Nov 6 - 10). The tournament will be held at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, the same venue for 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.


He is also on entries list of Austrian Open (Nov 12-17), right after Team World Cup. Busy November if he will play T2 Singapore and men's World Cup.
 
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