Check out the interviews of Ma Long, Coach Liu Guozheng and Team China Delegate Huang Biao after the final of 2018 Team World Cup.
Ma Long reviewed the changes during the past 6 years since he played London Olympic Games and Liverpool World Cup in England. He commented on Koki Niwa's performance. He disagreed that China's dominance will affect the popularity of table tennis. He also expressed his willingness to keep fighting for Tokyo Olympic Games.
(Q: You are the first Chinese male athlete who has won 20 World Champion titles. What do you think?)
I still focus on training and tournaments for now. After retirement, I may think about these (records) when reviewing my athletic career.
(Q: I found the photo of you that I took 6 years ago. You have changed a lot. What do you think? What has been changed most in the past 6 years? What's the biggest challenge?)
A lot have been changed in my career during the past 6 years. 6 years ago, I was rather young, like today's Fan Zhendong and others. Now, I am the captain of the team and a table tennis star. I have mixed feelings for the past 6 years. Joy of success, and regrets for loss, are filled with my career path.
(Q: Koki Niwa gave you quite some challenges today, although you beat him by 3-1, in a quite dominant way. How do you appreciate his performance? What do you learn from him?)
It is quite normal that other players like Niwa give me challenges. They are pros, training hard every day and making preparations. Niwa is also ranked high in world rankings. It is normal that he gave me challenges. Each player has his own style. Some may find A uneasy to play against and others may find B uneasy to play against. Niwa's style is double-edged. He causes problems to his opponents but he makes a lot of unforced errors when he loses momentum. It is my performance that determined the result of the match.
(Q: You are turning 30 years old. Plus, you just became a father. How do you keep your form?)
I don't find much changed as a new father. I still put my focus on the court. In my spare time, I have more responsibilities.
(Q: You have been to many countries. What do you think can make table tennis more popular in those countries? China's dominance may not be good for the sport. What do you think?)
I don't agree. I've been to many European countries and Asian countries like Japan and Korea, where table tennis is quite popular. Some say China's dominance is not good for table tennis. But basketball is still very popular and spectacular with USA's dominance. China's dominance does not affect popularity.
(Q: What do you think can make table tennis even more popular?)
That's beyond my control.
(Q: You will continue playing.)
It is not the time to hang my racket. I will continue to focus on the court.
(Q: Will you attend Tokyo Olympic Games?)
I want to attend. But as you know, there are only 3 spots for the Olympic Games and 2 spots for singles. The competition in Team China is intense. Everyday I face challenges.
(Q: I was there at 2012 London Olympic Games and Liverpool World Cup. How do you like the stadium atmosphere then and now?)
In recent years, with the development of internet, especially after 2016 Olympic Games, sports and table tennis attract a lot of people. It's good that more people are following sports and table tennis. I hope the hype will continue.
(Q: Please review the final.)
I think we played well today. The performance during the match and the preparations before were good. We were very motivated from the beginning. In the first set of doubles, and the following sets of singles, we all had strong desire to win. It's smoother than expected.
Coach Liu Guozheng reviewed the match between Koki Niwa and Ma Long. He also spoke highly of Ma Long as the captain and backbone of the team who brings positive attitude and morale.
(Q: Team China won over Team Japan today. But Niwa gave Ma Long some pressure and challenge. What do you think of Team Japan's performance?)
Niwa is of high level. He plays smartly and has variations. When he plays with Ma Long, he needs to be aggressive. Today Ma Long was a little hasty at the beginning. He did not find the rhythm and had some unforced errors. Especially in the second game, Niwa had several great shots, including some unexpected shots. When the score was tied, Niwa had one hit on the blade edge and one net ball. He played more confidently and capitalized the leading advantage. But if it was Ma Long who made the lead, the situation might be under his control.
(Q: I felt he was a little impatient.)
A little bit. It must feel uncomfortable when the opponent was not easy to beat. But Ma Long is a superb player who can adjust his mindset under pressure, and make bold change in techniques and tactics, to turn the tide.
(Q: Do you think it a good timing for Team Japan's coach to call a time-out?)
It is normal that they called a time-out in the third game. If they lost that game, they barely had chance to win. We expected that. But that did not affect us. Ma Long already found effective tactics. He just needed to keep on. Don't be impatient. Focus one point after another. He can make it.
(Q: Some people said that Ma Long was not in a good form and energetic recently. What do you think?)
I think at this Team World Cup, Ma Long made his best to prepare for each match and play each match. As the captain and backbone of the team, he took the full leading role. He brought positive attitude and morale to the team. He did a great job.
Team Delegate Huang Biao explained why Ma Long has kept a good form from China Super League to Team World Cup: self-discipline, passion, devotion, responsibility. He also explained how Team China supports players from training to daily life.
(Q: 30-year-old Ma Long just finished playing a busy China Super League and still kept a great form at Team World Cup. We don't see fatigue on him. As team delegate, how do you help him adjust?)
Ma Long is a very self-disciplined and enterprising player. He is passionate about table tennis and devoting to table tennis. He is also responsible. These drive him internally. He has several injuries like wrist injury. We need to help players adjust, not only physical training, technique training, rehabilitation, as well as mentality and daily life. When he faces difficulties, like when his wrist needed therapy, we approved his leave. It applies to other scenarios when he needs help in daily life. We believe and understand each other. That's really helpful.
