Ma Long interviews, matches and beyond

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Ma Long interview with ITTF after China Open
-Superb memory: he memorizes over 90% of his matches
-Everlasting passion: he won three World Tour right after he won three World Championships respectively. He never loses his desire for victory.
-Family support: they are happy that he is doing what he loves. Baby Dragon now learns to cheer for the Dragon.
 
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Table Tennis World Magazine 2019 Jun Issue
From Liu Guoliang review of 2019 WTTC


Ma Long has the strong "rope"
I think Ma Long made a miracle to win three consecutive men's singles title at World Championships. Before the tournament, no one dared to think about it especially because he had been injured for so long and it was even uncertain if he could attend the tournament or not. I think Ma Long is such a great player not only because of what he has achieved but also because of what he has paid and pulled through in face of injuries. When the level of his techniques is not as good as before, it is very important to rearrange his energy and physical strength. During the closed training, he attended Qatar Open and Asian Cup consecutively, it consumed him a lot to travel and adjust jet leg. But he managed to win one champion and one runner-up. He also played two individual events at World Championships. I feel that he was most pressured before the men's singles final. The whole world was watching him to make a miracle. I also encouraged him by saying so. He did it. After the match, I asked him whether he was greatly pressured. He said the pressure was too great that he felt stomachache and wanted to throw up in the morning. All in all, I am quite moved that he not only won the match but also promoted the development of table tennis worldwide.
I think it is relatively easy to keep Chinese women's team growing strong and maintain dominance. However, I think it is impossible to make Chinese men's team as strong as women's team in a short time. We should not dream because the opponents all around the world are rising so fast and challenging so hard. Each opponent has the ability to be a threat. On one hand, we have to make some innovations and leads on techniques; on the other hand, we have to make our players stronger people. Fan Zhendong, Liang Jingkun, Lin Gaoyuan, Wang Chuqin, as well as Xu Xin should learn from Ma Long. Not to learn his techniques, but to learn his ability to read game and handle pressure. Due to frequent changes of table tennis balls, Ma Long's advantages on techniques are no longer overwhelming. But he is stronger as a person. He becomes even better to control the game and restrict every opponent on every aspect. As I said in previous commentary, Ma Long put his opponents under control just like tie Chinese mitten crabs with rope. Only Ma Long can do it. The strong rope makes him that strong.
 
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On Jun 14, Ma Long proceeded to the quarterfinal of men's singles at Japan Open. In the first round, he beat An Jaehyun by 4-1 (11:8, 11:8, 8:11, 11:6, 11:6). The second round was a narrow escape. He beat Jeoung Youngsik by 4-3 (11:9, 7:11, 11:9, 9:11, 9:11, 12:10, 11:5). He will face Fan Zhendong in the quarterfinal.
In the post-match interview, Ma Long said he was prepared for a very tough match. He said he played better than the first round in terms of form and concentration. However, as he played aggressive at the beginning, he played into Jeoung Youngsik's signature game, which reminds him of the match at Rio Olympic Games. Trailing 2-3 behind, he adjusted techniques/tactics, stood more stably and played less aggressive. He thought fighting spirit and patience were the key to win at last.
 
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On Jun 15, Ma Long lost to Fan Zhendong by 1-4 (12:14, 6:11, 11:8, 7:11, 5:11) in the quarterfinal of men's singles at Japan Open.
In the post-match interview, Ma Long said Fan Zhendong played very well and outperformed him today. Fan Zhendong played many powerful shots and some were beyond his expectations. He also made many unforced errors and didn't handle crucial points well.
Ma Long is not on the entries list of Korean Open while on the list of Australian Open next month. Take a break and have a good rest!
 
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Last minute change! Ma Long replaces Lin Gaoyuan on the entries list of Korean Open (Jul 2-7). He is also on the entries of Australian Open (Jul 11-14). China National Championships will be held Jul 25 - Aug 2. Will he be able to attend T2 Diamond (Jul 18-21) with such a tight schedule?

Ma Long is not on the entries list of Korean Open while on the list of Australian Open next month. Take a break and have a good rest!
 
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On Father's Day, Ma Long posted a photo of him and Baby Dragon on Sina Weibo and said, "It is my holiday today. Can you turn and look at me?" lol
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<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMaLongFamily%2Fvideos%2F489231231653667%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>
School boys? (Japan Open)




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Team China meeting on Jun 20
It is reported that Ma Long still has wrist and knee injuries and keeps on physical training in preparation for upcoming Korea Open and Australian Open.
 
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Ma Long in LiNing new releases at Paris Fashion Week SS20 (Jun 22)
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On Jun 24, Visa welcomed 5 Chinese athletes to join Team Visa, including Ma Long, Chen Long (badminton), Shi Tingmao (diving), Chen Aisen (diving) and Xiao Ruoteng (gymnastics). Tokyo Olympic Games theme visa cards were also released.
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On Jul 4, Ma Long beat Takuya Jin by 4-0 (13:11, 11:6, 11:7, 11:6) in the first round of men's singles at Korea Open.


On Jul 5, Ma Long beat host's Lim Jonghoon by 4-3 (11:5, 11:9, 7:11, 11:5, 8:11, 9:11, 14:12) in R16. He wasted 4 match points and saved 1 before taking the decider.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1364907693633802&id=632611513530094
In the post-match interview, Ma Long said his opponent played well. When he led 2-0 and 4:1 in the third game, he didn't play with full concentration and lost that game. Then the situation became tense.
(Q:Did you make any adjustment in the decider?)
Not really. Just keep fighting. No matter leading or trailing. Especially when trailing, I kept fighting. My opponent may make mistakes when he saw the opportunity to win. I have to avoid making mistakes myself.
(Q: Do you think you won the decider with your experiences?)
I think experiences are not that important. At the end, neither of us found very effective winning strategy. It's more important to fight point by point.

Ma Long will face Kristian Karlsson in the quarterfinal.
 
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Ma Long interview after quarterfinal when he beat Kristian Karlsson by 4-2 (9:11, 9:11, 11:8, 11:3, 11:5, 11:8).
Q: please comment on the match.
A: It is really a tough match. Especially I managed to win when 0-2 down. That's an affirmation of my performance. I had some opportunities in the first two games but I didn't handle crucial points well at 9:9.
Q: Do you think your opponent is difficult to play because he is left-handed?
A: I don't think so. I met many left-handed players in tournaments. I played him once 7 years ago. During these years, he has improved a lot. I can feel his power and aggressiveness this time.


https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1366181886839716&id=632611513530094
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1366129006845004&id=632611513530094

On Jul 7, Ma Long beat Jeoung Youngsik by 4-1 (11:7, 5:11, 11:7, 11:6, 11:9) ​​​and proceeded to men's singles final at Korea Open.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1367073836750521&id=632611513530094

Ma Long lost to Xu Xin by 1-4 (11:7, 6:11, 9:11, 7:11, 8:11) in the men's singles final at Korea Open.
In the post-match interview, Xu Xin said winning over Ma Long made him much happier than winning a champion at world tour. Everyone wants to beat Ma Long.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1367484106709494&id=632611513530094
 
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Star Q&A in Table Tennis World Magazine 2019 Jul Issue
Q: Who do you want to be your doubles or mixed doubles partner? (Any association or gender)
Ma Long: Anyone.
Wang Chuqin: Sun Yingsha for mixed doubles. Anyone assigned by the coach team for doubles.
Sun Yingsha: Brother Long.


Q: Are you obsessive compulsive? In which way?
Ma Long: Yes, very much! All my stuff has to be tidily arranged. My bed sheets have to folded the same way. Everything. Sometimes it is not only my stuff. When I go to my teammates' rooms, I ask them to make things tidy.
 
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Star Q&A in Table Tennis World Magazine 2019 Jul Issue
Q: Who do you want to be your doubles or mixed doubles partner? (Any association or gender)
Ma Long: Anyone.
Wang Chuqin: Sun Yingsha for mixed doubles. Anyone assigned by the coach team for doubles.
Sun Yingsha: Brother Long.


Q: Are you obsessive compulsive? In which way?
Ma Long: Yes, very much! All my stuff has to be tidily arranged. My bed sheets have to folded the same way. Everything. Sometimes it is not only my stuff. When I go to my teammates' rooms, I ask them to make things tidy.
 
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On Jul 11, Ma Long proceeded to the next round in both men's doubles and singles at Australian Open.
Ma Long / Lin Gaoyuan beat Japan’s Togami Shunsuke / Uda Yukiya by 3-2 (8:11, 11:8, 11:9, 4:11, 11:6).
Later Ma Long beat Mizuki Oikawa by 4-2 (11:6, 11:6, 11:8, 9:11, 7:11, 11:7).
After the singles match, Ma Long said his opponent is of good level as he beat Zhou Kai in the qualification. He played well in the first three games and led 9:6 in the fourth game but didn't take it as Mizuki Oikawa made changes in the later games. It is more important for him to make adjustments and win the match even if he is not in good form.
https://www.facebook.com/632611513530094/posts/1373235066134398/


Ma Long vs Liang Jingkun
Backhand-forehand session and backhand down the line practice
https://www.facebook.com/632611513530094/posts/1372661266191778/
Forehand short practice (What's the firm handshake about lol?)
https://www.facebook.com/632611513530094/posts/1371726176285287/
 
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On Jul 12, Ma Long / Lin Gaoyuan proceeded to men's doubles final after beating Mattias Falck / Kristian Karlsson by 3-0 (13:11, 11:5, 11:4) and Xu Xin / Fan Zhendong by 3-1 (11:8, 9:11, 11:8, 11:5). They will face Jeoung Youngsik / Lee Sangsu in the final.
Caption this
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Ma Long beat Dimitrij Ovtcharov by 4-0 (11:7, 15:13, 11:7, 11:9) and proceeded to quarterfinal. He pointed out an edge ball by Ovtcharov at his first match point when umpire missed it and gave the point to him.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1374575892666982&id=632611513530094
In the post-match interview, Ma Long said he has no secret to keep such a winning record against Dimitrij Ovtcharov (15-0). They haven't played each other for three years and Ma Long said Ovtcharov tried out new techniques and tactics. It is important that he caught up in the first two games when trailing behind. When asked about the tight schedule and travel and if he can sleep well in the hotel, he said it is tiring but that's part of the game and he will keep on. He doesn't sleep well but it is normal.
 
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Dragon and koala
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1375452392579332&id=632611513530094


On Jul 13, Ma Long beat Lin Gaoyuan by 4-0 (11:6, 11:7, 11:6, 11:6) and proceeded to men's singles semifinal at Australian Open.
In the post-match interview, he said Team China is strongest so it is always hard to play with a teammate. When asked how to keep ahead while being challenged by the young generation, Ma Long said he doesn't think he is always superior to youngsters. He keeps putting himself at a low position and fights hard.


Ma Long / Lin Gaoyuan lost to Jeoung Youngsik / Lee Sangsu by 0-3 (6:11, 8:11, 6:11) in men's doubles final.
 
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On Jul 14, Ma Long lost to Wang Chuqin by 2-4 (8:11, 11:6, 4:11, 11:8, 7:11, 8:11) in men’s singles semifinal at Australian Open.
Post-match interview
Q: Can you comment on your performance of the match?
A: I think it is normal. I didn’t manage to take the crucial points in the first, third and fifth games. The situation was not on my side in these games.
Q: Trailing behind in the sixth game, you seemed to have some chances to come back.
A: I was behind from the beginning. I caught up several points but Wang Chuqin still took the lead. He was 3-2 over me and he still had advantage in mentality.
Q: Wang Chuqin plays well recently. How do you think of him?
A: I can see Wang Chuqin improving in these two tournaments. He plays at a constant level against Chinese players and foreign players. When in difficulties, he can go through. He grows.
Q: After this tournament, you will attend T2 Diamond in Malaysia. Are you fine with the frequent attendance of tournaments?
A: I have to keep on. The tournaments are not arranged to my will. Other players also have to play so frequently. We players need the spirit of keeping on.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1377263065731598&id=632611513530094
 
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