Fan zhendong, Ma Long and Cheng Meng announces Retirement from WTT/ITTF

[NextLevel]

Or they are taking TT too seriously to be kidnapped by the WTT circus. Just another perspective.

Nah, the reality is more insidious than that but I will leave that to others to find out and discuss. Let's just say that there are people who benefit from the CNT playing WTT within the CNT so it is more likely that FZD will need to accept the insane WTT schedule to play than for real change to occur in response to his retirement filing.

The funniest part is still that Ma Long has not filed his retirement papers publicly if at all.

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

Nah, the reality is more insidious than that but I will leave that to others to find out and discuss. Let's just say that there are people who benefit from the CNT playing WTT within the CNT so it is more likely that FZD will need to accept the insane WTT schedule to play than for real change to occur in response to his retirement filing.

The funniest part is still that Ma Long has not filed his retirement papers publicly if at all.

yep who would have known FZD would have retired before Ma Long ?

I always thought FZD would retire early as he's always been very bandaged at each appearance for a while and seemed limping from tournament to tournament. I was so surprised that he was able to win WTTC2023 and the OG2024 tbh.
but to retire b4 ML ?! !!!!

 

[kapahoo]

Nah, the reality is more insidious than that but I will leave that to others to find out and discuss. Let's just say that there are people who benefit from the CNT playing WTT within the CNT so it is more likely that FZD will need to accept the insane WTT schedule to play than for real change to occur in response to his retirement filing.

The funniest part is still that Ma Long has not filed his retirement papers publicly if at all.

You are probably right. But the one does perhaps not exclude the other? Some benefit and genuinely like the WTT and some, including FZD, think it has become too much. But I'm just speculating.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

These Chinese pros, don't really play that much WTT to be honest

so it is not like they are playing 20 events a year like some other Top 20 players need to do.
However, I guess they maybe want to rest for half a year or something, and there are quite a few Smash and Champions lined up in the H1 2025, where they don't want to play.
and the only solution is retire, or else, more ZPP points.
FZD himself has 5 ZPP already... he could get 8 and be at 0 world ranking points too haha

BTW, FZD didn't (confirm) enter for Singapore Smash at cut off, so the signs were there already.

But then again, LGL wants the young guns to try it out.
maybe if the young ones fails in 2025... FZD will un retire from ITTF/WTT

 

[Robin0910]

yep who would have known FZD would have retired before Ma Long ?

I always thought FZD would retire early as he's always been very bandaged at each appearance for a while and seemed limping from tournament to tournament. I was so surprised that he was able to win WTTC2023 and the OG2024 tbh.
but to retire b4 ML ?! !!!!

It’s not that surprising of you follow their social media posts and tv appearances.
Fan Zhendong has given all sorts of signs that he’d retire after the this year’s Olympics whereas Ma Long kept saying he wanted to continue playing, etc. it’s really just a matter of attitude.
Fan Zhendong said on TV that he’d likely retire with Ma Long or even after him.

 

[Gtsnake]

Maybe, but it’s not like they can force Fan Zhendong to ”unretire“. This retirement rather seems to be his own choice.

Probably a protest move since his retirement decision is the only one he can make on his own.

 

[AutomaticBackhand]

World Table Tennis

worldtabletennis.com

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"The limitation and corresponding fines for players who withdraw from a WTT event and participate in a non-WTT event during the following event week have been completely removed. The 2025 WTT Handbook does introduce higher fines for players who choose to participate in non-WTT events taking place during WTT events they have withdrawn from. This adjustment reflects the value of top-tier WTT events in the global table tennis ecosystem and reinforces the importance of prioritising these events. "

I'm not sure I understand this right, did WTT back off now or just clarify the new rules?

 

[zeio]

Clarification. The relevant passage had been removed before their announcement.

2024
https://wttwebcmsprod.blob.core.windows.net/technicaldocuments/WTT Series & Feeder Handbook 2024.pdf
4.1.8 Playing Another Event
a) A player is not allowed to compete in any table tennis event, club match or exhibition in the same
event week from which they have withdrawn, cancelled or forfeit via walk-over. In the event a player
fails to adhere to this rule, the player will be fined USD $2,500.
b) A player is not allowed to compete in any non WTT table tennis event, club match or exhibition in
the following event week from which they have withdrawn, cancelled or forfeit via walk-over. In the
event a player fails to adhere to this rule, that player will be fined USD $1,500.
c) For WTT Feeder Events the fines in clauses (a) & (b) are applied at 50%.

2025
https://wttwebcmsprod.blob.core.windows.net/technicaldocuments/WTT Series & Feeder Handbook 2025.pdf
4.1.8 Playing Another Event
a) A player is not allowed to compete in any table tennis event, club match or exhibition in the same event
week from which they have withdrawn, cancelled or forfeit via walk-over. In the event a player fails to adhere
to this rule, the player will be fined as follows:
- Players Ranked 1-20: USD $5,000
- Players Ranked 21-50: USD $3,000
- Players Ranked 51+: USD $1,500
b) Free withdrawals under 4.1.1 are not relevant or applicable to 4.1.8, which apply regardless.

 

[Cypereze]

In this short video, I explore the growing concerns around WTT and how their management decisions—such as intense schedules, poor organization, and penalties for non-participation—are impacting professional players' lives.

I’d truly appreciate your thoughts and feedback on this topic. If you’re interested, here’s the video:

Thank you for taking the time to watch!

 

[piligrim]

Why to open new topic if already there is one about same subject

 

[Cypereze]

Why to open new topic if already there is one about same subject

Oh, sorry, I haven't figured out how to navigate the forums properly as I'm still fairly new to posting.
How can I change it to where it should be? When I made the post I wrote Fan Zhendong retirement but nothing came up as discussed but I might have missed it. Sorry once again!
Thanks!

 

[Gozo Aruna]

In this short video, I explore the growing concerns around WTT and how their management decisions—such as intense schedules, poor organization, and penalties for non-participation—are impacting professional players' lives.

I’d truly appreciate your thoughts and feedback on this topic. If you’re interested, here’s the video:

Thank you for taking the time to watch!

Who shall be next?

Quadri Aruna but of course! He is the one that started the ball rolling...

 

[Manto76]

Oh, sorry, I haven't figured out how to navigate the forums properly as I'm still fairly new to posting.
How can I change it to where it should be? When I made the post I wrote Fan Zhendong retirement but nothing came up as discussed but I might have missed it. Sorry once again!
Thanks!

Don't worry, it's not a big deal. One of the Forum moderators will probably spot this soon and they can merge this into one of the existing threads if they think that'd be helpful.

More importantly, glad to have another fan on the Forum, welcome!

 

[Cypereze]

Who shall be next?

Quadri Aruna but of course! He is the one that started the ball rolling...

True that!

 

[Cypereze]

Don't worry, it's not a big deal. One of the Forum moderators will probably spot this soon and they can merge this into one of the existing threads if they think that'd be helpful.

More importantly, glad to have another fan on the Forum, welcome!

Thank you so much for your understanding!
Yeah I love tabletennis and I want to contribute the community in the way I can!

 

[zhzhzhz]

First step to retirement

View attachment 33853

More info to follow

Please tell me he won't retire so early and suddenly. This is such devastating news for me and other FZD fans. I might even book a flight to Guangzhou just to kneel and beg him not to retire.

 

[Lazer]

Things will sort themselfs out. There is always going to be someone who is not happy. Sometimes justifiable sometimes not. Theirs is always somebody behind to take the place, nobody is irreplaceable.
That said you can’t squeeze water out of stones…

Cheers
L-zr

 

[zhzhzhz]

Don't You worry, there be new golden boys...

Cheers
L-zr

It ain’t the same without FZD. Ma long can retire already he is already the GOAT. I just can’t get enough of FZD tho. Mr.chubby need to play more 小胖 is the most special player in the world. No player plays like 小胖 his backhand is just amazing and even tho he is chubby he is just built different.

I need Fzd/小胖 to play another Olympic and win gold.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

I am still waiting for CTTA's statement
they have been very quiet

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Clarification. The relevant passage had been removed before their announcement.

2024
https://wttwebcmsprod.blob.core.windows.net/technicaldocuments/WTT Series & Feeder Handbook 2024.pdf
4.1.8 Playing Another Event
a) A player is not allowed to compete in any table tennis event, club match or exhibition in the same
event week from which they have withdrawn, cancelled or forfeit via walk-over. In the event a player
fails to adhere to this rule, the player will be fined USD $2,500.
b) A player is not allowed to compete in any non WTT table tennis event, club match or exhibition in
the following event week from which they have withdrawn, cancelled or forfeit via walk-over. In the
event a player fails to adhere to this rule, that player will be fined USD $1,500.
c) For WTT Feeder Events the fines in clauses (a) & (b) are applied at 50%.

2025
https://wttwebcmsprod.blob.core.windows.net/technicaldocuments/WTT Series & Feeder Handbook 2025.pdf
4.1.8 Playing Another Event
a) A player is not allowed to compete in any table tennis event, club match or exhibition in the same event
week from which they have withdrawn, cancelled or forfeit via walk-over. In the event a player fails to adhere
to this rule, the player will be fined as follows:
- Players Ranked 1-20: USD $5,000
- Players Ranked 21-50: USD $3,000
- Players Ranked 51+: USD $1,500
b) Free withdrawals under 4.1.1 are not relevant or applicable to 4.1.8, which apply regardless.

this is for playing another event.

FZD has already 5 x ZPP because he choose not to play WTT.
He will likely be on 8 x ZPP and have 0 ranking point too.

Unless he wants to play some other tournament and miss WTT, that would be the only way for him to incur monetary penalties