This user has no status.
This user has no status.
Well-Known Member
Remember when Dima was the GOAT of about 2 months era? Back when the new rankings made him world number 1.
This era thing is absolutely silly. I would maybe entertain a thought of 2 eras: before and after the sponge. But between JOW's time and now not nearly enough has changed for us not to compare them all. The biggest deal was obviously the 38-40 transition but it didn't change the game dramatically, as clearly demonstrated by multiple players who managed to retain top status through the change (including Waldner himself). Some people, like Boll and Vladi, survived not one but TWO ball changes and were world class with any ball. That's enough proof to me that there was no real shift in the paradigm.
So yeah, Ma Long it is, by a landslide. Waldner had his chances, Wang Hao had his (3 finals!!), Zhang Jike had his, yet not one of them did it and Ma Long did.
This era thing is absolutely silly. I would maybe entertain a thought of 2 eras: before and after the sponge. But between JOW's time and now not nearly enough has changed for us not to compare them all. The biggest deal was obviously the 38-40 transition but it didn't change the game dramatically, as clearly demonstrated by multiple players who managed to retain top status through the change (including Waldner himself). Some people, like Boll and Vladi, survived not one but TWO ball changes and were world class with any ball. That's enough proof to me that there was no real shift in the paradigm.
So yeah, Ma Long it is, by a landslide. Waldner had his chances, Wang Hao had his (3 finals!!), Zhang Jike had his, yet not one of them did it and Ma Long did.
Last edited: