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TableTennisDaily exclusive interview with Table Tennis professional Paul Drinkhall!
Thanks for taking part in our TableTennisDaily interview Paul.
Enjoy the questions!
Full Name: Paul Drinkhall
Age: 23
Date Of Birth: 16/01/1990
Club represented: Werder Bremen
Highest World Ranking: 83
Your career
How long have you been playing table tennis for, when did you start?
I started playing table tennis when I was 7 years old, so I have been playing for 16 years now!
Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
I think Liu Jiayi my coach has been the biggest influence on my table tennis career, he brought a different aspect to my game which helped me along the way to win multiple medals as a cadet and junior in europe and the world. Jiayi also gave me the Chinese style of play, more speed and trying to play and execute my forehand more. He is also great at multi ball so that helped my game with speed and things. My previous coaches were also good but he just brought them few different things which helped, also Jiayi has a different way of thinking which is more positive and that you must believe in your game.
Drinkhall with coach Liu Jiayi - Photo by: ETTA
You’re a very successful international star now, what do you feel was your biggest achievement to date?
For me when I won 3 titles and the European youth championship in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles and personally I never lost a match throughout the competition, One other big achievement for me was carrying the flag at the opening ceremony of the Australian youth Olympic festival for team GB!
Ok, maybe you don't like looking back to this but what was your biggest low in your career?
For me a low was loosing at the Commonwealth games in 2006 in Melbourne, I lost the Yang Zi who at the time was much higher ranked than me but I really wanted to put a mark on the TT world in that tournament and I felt that I could of done that but I underperformed, however I used that as a learning curve and that tournament really helped me in my junior Europeans victory's.
Lesliefrancs - HI, Is pursuing a life towards TT worth the rewards? and does playing TT full time effect your personal life?
It all depends what kind of rewards you would say are worth it, For me I love the sport and the competitive side of it, Playing in an event like the Olympics made all my sacrifices worth while, Also you can make a good financial living if you are at a good level and clever with where and how you play! regarding personal life, It will effect your life if you want to make it to the top as you will need to put almost all your free time into training on the table and physical, however you will make a personal life within table tennis.
YosuaYosan asks, What are your major goals in table tennis?
I want to win a medal at a major such as Europeans, worlds or Olympics! (or all 3)
What are your thoughts about the 2016 Olympics?
I feel if my game come's together which it is starting to now all my different aspects of my game are fitting together then I can be a threat in 2016.
Drinkhall at the London 2012 Olympics - Photo by: Getty Images
Moving to Germany
You signed for Bundisliga team Werder Bremen in the highest division in Germany. How have you found competing in such a high level?
It's great being around top players on a daily basis and I feel I am learning everyday I am over there!
Drinkhall with team mate Chuang Chih Yuan prior to training - Photo by: radiobremen
Do you feel this has improved your game?
My game has improved since moving to Germany, I nor need to transfer that into the matches that I play.
What aspects do you find different at the highest level in this league when you play players like Timo Boll, Koki Niwa and Ryu Seung Min?
I think the consistency is the biggest difference both in the game also throughout the season the best players play near there top level on a daily basis.
How have you coped living in Germany?
I would prefer to be living in England that is for sure, but to be the best I can be that is not possible at the moment.
Training
You train with Chuang Chih Yuan and Adrian Crisan. What is like about training with these top players?
Its great playing with these guys, also its great that the both have so different games so I can train with different top players.
What do you practice the most? What aspect is most important in the game table tennis?
I feel the most important is the first 5 balls making sure there strong and put you in a good position the win the point.
Do you train on the mental aspects of your game. Do you find this side of the game is just as important as the technical parts?
Yes the mental side of the game is very important, however I feel the most important part is to not over think things.
Legislate – If you don’t have much coaching, do you motivate yourself. Can you still be a good player without a coach?
You can be a good player without a coach, I think it is more difficult and it will maybe take more time but you can do it!
Do you practice a lot using the practice multi ball/mini balls. How important is this type of practice for a professional player?
Me personally I love using multiball practice it speeds me up and also you can work on technique with multiball.
Check out Paul Drinkhall doing multi ball practice
China’s dominance
GECA asks: What's your view on the Chinese dominance at the moment, Why are the Chinese players so good do you believe?
The Chinese players are so good because of work rate, from such a young age they are training much harder than the rest of the world, of course it helps that they have a lot more players to work with but the main reason is the work rate. Also the amount of good coaches that stay involved after being top players is high.
You recently played Ma Long at the World Cup in Liverpool, England. What were your thoughts about this match?
Ye he was like a machine, but I felt when I played my best game then I was challenging him it was just hard to do it for a long time, I will get there tho!
Over at TableTennisDaily we are fond of the Elite Chinese and Timo Boll (The players in the top 10 of the world). When you play against these player’s what is it they do that’s different to other players. How are they the best?
I feel they are the best because they can play there best table tennis when they need to and more often.
Drinkhall against Wang Hao at the Pro Tour Grand Finals - Photo by: ETTA
Matches
Joelstar asks: What warm ups do you do before a game to get you ready to compete?
Basic movements then onto a few irregular and serve receive,
Gauravvrak – Wants your mind strategy when you are 2-0 down. What do you think to have the belief to get back into the match?
I just believe in my game, I know if I can play my game and put pressure on my opponent then I can win no matter what the score is.
Atomichaos – Do you ever give up a match when your loosing?
NO
Do you watch yourself on youtube?
Yes I watch myself and others. I find youtube is a great tool to use to improve your game.
Do you believe world class players are born with natural talent and that nature guided them to success, or do you believe it's ones surrounding that nurtured the player?
I feel talent can help but at the end of the day it is work rate that makes players.
Off the topic questions
Who’s your favorite sportsman of all time?
I love roger federer and also Paul Scholes.
Favorite film?
There are to many, I love Felon, man on fire, inside man, usual suspects and many more....
What car do you drive?
Audi A4
What’s your favorite music?
Eminem
What do you do in your spare time other then table tennis?
Spend time with family and friends and my little dog Millie.
Do you eat well or eat junk good?
I try to eat healthy but everyone needs a takeaway now and then!
PS3 or XBOX 360?
Ps3
Have you browsed the website TableTennisDaily.co.uk before?
Yes, great for table tennis fans!
What is your motto in training?
Play to win (rather than playing not to loose)
And Lastly...
And lastly, thanks very much for your kindness in taking part in this interview for all the members of the TableTennisDaily forum to learn and know more about the life of a professional player Paul Drinkhall.
Would you like to add one last tip, or an inspirational message to us all?
Good luck to you all and I hope you enjoyed reading my answers!
Good luck in your next competition Paul!
Thanks!
TableTennisDaily Staff and forum
Thanks for taking part in our TableTennisDaily interview Paul.
Enjoy the questions!
Full Name: Paul Drinkhall
Age: 23
Date Of Birth: 16/01/1990
Club represented: Werder Bremen
Highest World Ranking: 83
Your career
How long have you been playing table tennis for, when did you start?
I started playing table tennis when I was 7 years old, so I have been playing for 16 years now!
Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
I think Liu Jiayi my coach has been the biggest influence on my table tennis career, he brought a different aspect to my game which helped me along the way to win multiple medals as a cadet and junior in europe and the world. Jiayi also gave me the Chinese style of play, more speed and trying to play and execute my forehand more. He is also great at multi ball so that helped my game with speed and things. My previous coaches were also good but he just brought them few different things which helped, also Jiayi has a different way of thinking which is more positive and that you must believe in your game.
Drinkhall with coach Liu Jiayi - Photo by: ETTA
You’re a very successful international star now, what do you feel was your biggest achievement to date?
For me when I won 3 titles and the European youth championship in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles and personally I never lost a match throughout the competition, One other big achievement for me was carrying the flag at the opening ceremony of the Australian youth Olympic festival for team GB!
Ok, maybe you don't like looking back to this but what was your biggest low in your career?
For me a low was loosing at the Commonwealth games in 2006 in Melbourne, I lost the Yang Zi who at the time was much higher ranked than me but I really wanted to put a mark on the TT world in that tournament and I felt that I could of done that but I underperformed, however I used that as a learning curve and that tournament really helped me in my junior Europeans victory's.
Lesliefrancs - HI, Is pursuing a life towards TT worth the rewards? and does playing TT full time effect your personal life?
It all depends what kind of rewards you would say are worth it, For me I love the sport and the competitive side of it, Playing in an event like the Olympics made all my sacrifices worth while, Also you can make a good financial living if you are at a good level and clever with where and how you play! regarding personal life, It will effect your life if you want to make it to the top as you will need to put almost all your free time into training on the table and physical, however you will make a personal life within table tennis.
YosuaYosan asks, What are your major goals in table tennis?
I want to win a medal at a major such as Europeans, worlds or Olympics! (or all 3)
What are your thoughts about the 2016 Olympics?
I feel if my game come's together which it is starting to now all my different aspects of my game are fitting together then I can be a threat in 2016.
Drinkhall at the London 2012 Olympics - Photo by: Getty Images
Moving to Germany
You signed for Bundisliga team Werder Bremen in the highest division in Germany. How have you found competing in such a high level?
It's great being around top players on a daily basis and I feel I am learning everyday I am over there!
Drinkhall with team mate Chuang Chih Yuan prior to training - Photo by: radiobremen
Do you feel this has improved your game?
My game has improved since moving to Germany, I nor need to transfer that into the matches that I play.
What aspects do you find different at the highest level in this league when you play players like Timo Boll, Koki Niwa and Ryu Seung Min?
I think the consistency is the biggest difference both in the game also throughout the season the best players play near there top level on a daily basis.
How have you coped living in Germany?
I would prefer to be living in England that is for sure, but to be the best I can be that is not possible at the moment.
Training
You train with Chuang Chih Yuan and Adrian Crisan. What is like about training with these top players?
Its great playing with these guys, also its great that the both have so different games so I can train with different top players.
What do you practice the most? What aspect is most important in the game table tennis?
I feel the most important is the first 5 balls making sure there strong and put you in a good position the win the point.
Do you train on the mental aspects of your game. Do you find this side of the game is just as important as the technical parts?
Yes the mental side of the game is very important, however I feel the most important part is to not over think things.
Legislate – If you don’t have much coaching, do you motivate yourself. Can you still be a good player without a coach?
You can be a good player without a coach, I think it is more difficult and it will maybe take more time but you can do it!
Do you practice a lot using the practice multi ball/mini balls. How important is this type of practice for a professional player?
Me personally I love using multiball practice it speeds me up and also you can work on technique with multiball.
China’s dominance
GECA asks: What's your view on the Chinese dominance at the moment, Why are the Chinese players so good do you believe?
The Chinese players are so good because of work rate, from such a young age they are training much harder than the rest of the world, of course it helps that they have a lot more players to work with but the main reason is the work rate. Also the amount of good coaches that stay involved after being top players is high.
You recently played Ma Long at the World Cup in Liverpool, England. What were your thoughts about this match?
Ye he was like a machine, but I felt when I played my best game then I was challenging him it was just hard to do it for a long time, I will get there tho!
Over at TableTennisDaily we are fond of the Elite Chinese and Timo Boll (The players in the top 10 of the world). When you play against these player’s what is it they do that’s different to other players. How are they the best?
I feel they are the best because they can play there best table tennis when they need to and more often.
Drinkhall against Wang Hao at the Pro Tour Grand Finals - Photo by: ETTA
Matches
Joelstar asks: What warm ups do you do before a game to get you ready to compete?
Basic movements then onto a few irregular and serve receive,
Gauravvrak – Wants your mind strategy when you are 2-0 down. What do you think to have the belief to get back into the match?
I just believe in my game, I know if I can play my game and put pressure on my opponent then I can win no matter what the score is.
Atomichaos – Do you ever give up a match when your loosing?
NO
Do you watch yourself on youtube?
Yes I watch myself and others. I find youtube is a great tool to use to improve your game.
Do you believe world class players are born with natural talent and that nature guided them to success, or do you believe it's ones surrounding that nurtured the player?
I feel talent can help but at the end of the day it is work rate that makes players.
Off the topic questions
Who’s your favorite sportsman of all time?
I love roger federer and also Paul Scholes.
Favorite film?
There are to many, I love Felon, man on fire, inside man, usual suspects and many more....
What car do you drive?
Audi A4
What’s your favorite music?
Eminem
What do you do in your spare time other then table tennis?
Spend time with family and friends and my little dog Millie.
Do you eat well or eat junk good?
I try to eat healthy but everyone needs a takeaway now and then!
PS3 or XBOX 360?
Ps3
Have you browsed the website TableTennisDaily.co.uk before?
Yes, great for table tennis fans!
What is your motto in training?
Play to win (rather than playing not to loose)
And Lastly...
And lastly, thanks very much for your kindness in taking part in this interview for all the members of the TableTennisDaily forum to learn and know more about the life of a professional player Paul Drinkhall.
Would you like to add one last tip, or an inspirational message to us all?
Good luck to you all and I hope you enjoyed reading my answers!
Good luck in your next competition Paul!
Thanks!
TableTennisDaily Staff and forum
