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TableTennisDaily interview with Jan Ove Waldner
Last weekend on the 10th of August 2014, TopSpinSports had the pleasure to have the worlds greatest players, Jan ove Waldner and Jorgen Persson opened their new 24/7 Central London Table Tennis venue, Fusion TTC. As Waldner and Persson were visiting one of the TopSpinSports sponsored clubs (Batts TTC), TableTennisDaily's @Dan managed to get an interview with the man himself, Jan Ove Waldner!
Full Name: Jan Ove waldner
Age: 48
Date Of Birth: 3 October 1965
Height: 179 cm
Country: Sweden
Highest World Ranking: 1
Jan Ove Waldner - Olympic Gold in 1992 Barcelona (photo by: jo-waldner.com)
Interview:
Hi Jan, thank you for joining in on this interview here with TableTennisDaily. How are you finding your day today with TopSpinSports? Do you enjoy coming to the UK?
Hi Dan, it's great to be here. I have had a good day so far and enjoy coaching the kids.
Great, it looks like you and Persson are having a great time. Do you do this a lot, giving back your skills and inspiration back to the community?
Yes, I love doing these events. With Donic I do 30 a year. We will be in Russia soon for our next one. This time round we are with TopSpinSports.
Jan Ove waldner noticed Ma Long was on the picture of the TableTennisDaily leaflet I was holding at the time and laughed. I said, I will put you on here in the future instead of Ma Long jokingly.
Jan Ove replied, don't be silly he is the best player in the world at the moment.
So Jan, a lot of people on TableTennisDaily discuss and debate who is the better player, 'Ma Long' or 'Zhang Jike'. What do you think on this topic?
They are both excellent players, I think Ma Long's game is great, to say who is better is not possible they both have their qualities.
Talking of Ma Long and Zhang Jike, in your prime and Ma Long and Zhang Jike at their best, who would win?
Waldner laughs, this is a very difficult question to answer. Sport advances. Every 10 years generations get stronger learning from the old. It's a bit like Tennis, every 10 years players are stronger, quicker, more powerful and more complete players. I cannot say but the Chinese players had a hard time against me due to my variety and deception. I tried not to be predictive. I did stuff that was different, which I think players of today's generation do not do enough of this. Europeans cannot play the Chinese way, we need to be different. I also had the belief that I could beat the Chinese players, this was important.
Thanks Jan, what are your thoughts on the new plastic ball? As you used the celluloid ball during your generation.
This question is to difficult to answer now. I am not to sure.
As a player starts to learn table tennis, what do you think is important?
I think players often start out trying to play to fast and short like the Chinese. It is important for kids and players starting out to learn feeling and control. Playing lots of different strokes and different shots to build a good understanding of the game. Then as they become better, strokes then shorten to be able to recover during the rallies which will become faster as they get better.
I see you like your golf, what sport do you find hard to play and learn... golf or table tennis?
Waldner laughs, haha for sure golf, I am to stiff when I swing. (waldner then demonstrated his golf swing)
Lastly, will you be able to challenge me to a 1 set match at some point today? Haha yes we will try, all depends if we have the time.
Thanks so much for your time, it was amazing to meet you. Enjoy your stay in the UK.
Luckily later that day, we had 5 minutes and the match took place! You can watch the match unfold here.
Last weekend on the 10th of August 2014, TopSpinSports had the pleasure to have the worlds greatest players, Jan ove Waldner and Jorgen Persson opened their new 24/7 Central London Table Tennis venue, Fusion TTC. As Waldner and Persson were visiting one of the TopSpinSports sponsored clubs (Batts TTC), TableTennisDaily's @Dan managed to get an interview with the man himself, Jan Ove Waldner!
Full Name: Jan Ove waldner
Age: 48
Date Of Birth: 3 October 1965
Height: 179 cm
Country: Sweden
Highest World Ranking: 1
Jan Ove Waldner - Olympic Gold in 1992 Barcelona (photo by: jo-waldner.com)
Interview:
Hi Jan, thank you for joining in on this interview here with TableTennisDaily. How are you finding your day today with TopSpinSports? Do you enjoy coming to the UK?
Hi Dan, it's great to be here. I have had a good day so far and enjoy coaching the kids.
Great, it looks like you and Persson are having a great time. Do you do this a lot, giving back your skills and inspiration back to the community?
Yes, I love doing these events. With Donic I do 30 a year. We will be in Russia soon for our next one. This time round we are with TopSpinSports.
Jan Ove waldner noticed Ma Long was on the picture of the TableTennisDaily leaflet I was holding at the time and laughed. I said, I will put you on here in the future instead of Ma Long jokingly.
Jan Ove replied, don't be silly he is the best player in the world at the moment.
So Jan, a lot of people on TableTennisDaily discuss and debate who is the better player, 'Ma Long' or 'Zhang Jike'. What do you think on this topic?
They are both excellent players, I think Ma Long's game is great, to say who is better is not possible they both have their qualities.
Talking of Ma Long and Zhang Jike, in your prime and Ma Long and Zhang Jike at their best, who would win?
Waldner laughs, this is a very difficult question to answer. Sport advances. Every 10 years generations get stronger learning from the old. It's a bit like Tennis, every 10 years players are stronger, quicker, more powerful and more complete players. I cannot say but the Chinese players had a hard time against me due to my variety and deception. I tried not to be predictive. I did stuff that was different, which I think players of today's generation do not do enough of this. Europeans cannot play the Chinese way, we need to be different. I also had the belief that I could beat the Chinese players, this was important.
Thanks Jan, what are your thoughts on the new plastic ball? As you used the celluloid ball during your generation.
This question is to difficult to answer now. I am not to sure.
As a player starts to learn table tennis, what do you think is important?
I think players often start out trying to play to fast and short like the Chinese. It is important for kids and players starting out to learn feeling and control. Playing lots of different strokes and different shots to build a good understanding of the game. Then as they become better, strokes then shorten to be able to recover during the rallies which will become faster as they get better.
I see you like your golf, what sport do you find hard to play and learn... golf or table tennis?
Waldner laughs, haha for sure golf, I am to stiff when I swing. (waldner then demonstrated his golf swing)
Lastly, will you be able to challenge me to a 1 set match at some point today? Haha yes we will try, all depends if we have the time.
Thanks so much for your time, it was amazing to meet you. Enjoy your stay in the UK.
Luckily later that day, we had 5 minutes and the match took place! You can watch the match unfold here.