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

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https://www.ittf.com/2025-week-1-rankings-publication-notes/
https://www.ittf.com/rankings-updates/
2025 Week 1 Rankings Publication Notes
ITTF Table Tennis World Rankings
No added or expired events
Retired players:

Fan Zhendong (CHN)
Ma Long (CHN)
Chen Meng (CHN)


ITTF Table Tennis Youth Rankings
No added or expired events
Age categories updated for new season:

U19: born in 2006 or later
U17: born in 2008 or later
U15: born in 2010 or later
U13: born in 2012 or later
U11: born in 2016 or later
 
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CTTA announcement confirm the trio has retired (or withdraw according to chinese wording).
with a hit of possible future comeback to international competition


  12月31日,根据国际乒联最新一期世界排名,马龙、樊振东和陈梦正式退出世界排名。


  在国际赛场上,马龙、樊振东和陈梦三名运动员屡创佳绩,为祖国和人民赢得荣誉,为中国体育事业的发展作出了巨大贡献。中国乒协和中国乒乓球队理解并尊重三位运动员退出世界排名的决定,同意三人退出世界排名,并已办理所有相关手续。协会也将继续关注三名运动员的后续发展,无论未来是否选择回归国际赛场,都将为他们提供最大的支持,保障其在训练和国内赛事中保持良好状态。


  针对近期运动员们提出的相关诉求,中国乒协一直在遵守规则的前提下,积极与国际乒联和WTT世界乒联等国际组织保持沟通协调,推动竞赛规则的合理调整,确保运动员的合法权益得到充分保障。国际乒联也向中国乒协表示,近期将通过紧急召开执委会、成立工作组等渠道寻求妥善方式解决运动员们有关问题。


  中国乒协衷心感谢社会各界和广大球迷朋友对协会工作以及国家队运动员的支持与关注。

google translate:

On December 31, according to the latest ITTF world rankings, Ma Long, Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng officially withdrew from the world rankings. In the international arena, three athletes, Ma Long, Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng, have repeatedly achieved great results, won honors for the motherland and people, and made great contributions to the development of China's sports industry. The China Table Tennis Association and the Chinese Table Tennis Team understand and respect the decision of the three athletes to withdraw from the world rankings, agree to the three athletes' withdrawal from the world rankings, and have completed all relevant procedures. The association will also continue to pay attention to the subsequent development of the three athletes. Regardless of whether they choose to return to the international arena in the future, it will provide them with the greatest support to ensure that they maintain good condition in training and domestic competitions. In response to the recent demands raised by athletes, the China Table Tennis Association has been actively maintaining communication and coordination with international organizations such as the ITTF and WTT on the premise of abiding by the rules to promote reasonable adjustments to competition rules and ensure that the legitimate rights and interests of athletes are protected. Fully guaranteed. The ITTF also stated to the China Table Tennis Association that it will seek appropriate ways to resolve issues related to athletes through emergency convening of the executive committee and the establishment of working groups in the near future. The China Table Tennis Association sincerely thanks all walks of life and fans for their support and attention to the work of the association and the athletes of the national team.
 
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Can't help but wonder what this all may mean for the WTT if any other big names also start to speak up about ZPP / scheduling issues. (Not that I think this is likely mind you -- I just find myself curious about possible follow-on effects if the matter doesn't go away in a hurry).

Oceania/ Australia is an absolute TT minnow on the world stage I know -- in most ITTF/WTT discussions we barely even rate a side mention. But even here, if any more big names choose to weigh in on scheduling issues it could have some unforeseen wider repercussions.

Here locally in Perth for example, there's been a bit of low level noise happening lately over the idea of Perth applying to host future WTT event(s) with state government support. While I appreciate it's just three individual athletes we're talking about here and now, taking FZD / ML & CM out of the picture could still conceivably make a bit of a dent in those efforts at a grassroots level. Whatever way you cut it, that's still a substantial amount of star-power heading out the door at once.
 
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[乒乓球]刘国梁:中国乒协支持运动员捍卫自己的权益
https://tv.cctv.com/2024/12/31/VIDEzi4mqg9LJPA2NodpQ5Yl241231.shtml
Liu Guoliang: WTT's mandatory participation is problematic and needs further discussion|国乒|刘国梁
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXXLhPuTapU
As CTTA President, LGL supports the players to defend their rights and interests. As an individual, he also thinks WTT's mandatory events have problems and merit discussion. ZZP and fines for skipping mandatory events would create immense pressure on the players, and WTT should grant exemptions [like how ATP does it] to old players, decorated players, and players who have made significant contribution to world table tennis [not certain if he meant WTT] and create a prize pool for young players and players with great results.

When asked if fans will see the 3 of them representing the country in international competitions in the future, LGL said if given their achievements and contribution, he believes they can participate as wild cards.

声 明
https://www.ctta.cn/xhgg/qttz/2024/1231/639578.html
声 明
2024-12-31 16:06 中国乒乓球协会​

  12月31日,根据国际乒联最新一期世界排名,马龙、樊振东和陈梦正式退出世界排名。

  在国际赛场上,马龙、樊振东和陈梦三名运动员屡创佳绩,为祖国和人民赢得荣誉,为中国体育事业的发展作出了巨大贡献。中国乒协和中国乒乓球队理解并尊重三位运动员退出世界排名的决定,同意三人退出世界排名,并已办理所有相关手续。协会也将继续关注三名运动员的后续发展,无论未来是否选择回归国际赛场,都将为他们提供最大的支持,保障其在训练和国内赛事中保持良好状态。

  针对近期运动员们提出的相关诉求,中国乒协一直在遵守规则的前提下,积极与国际乒联和WTT世界乒联等国际组织保持沟通协调,推动竞赛规则的合理调整,确保运动员的合法权益得到充分保障。国际乒联也向中国乒协表示,近期将通过紧急召开执委会、成立工作组等渠道寻求妥善方式解决运动员们有关问题。

  中国乒协衷心感谢社会各界和广大球迷朋友对协会工作以及国家队运动员的支持与关注。

  中国乒乓球协会

  2024年12月31日​
Statement
2024-12-31 16:06 China Table Tennis Association​

On December 31, according to the latest ITTF world rankings, Ma Long, Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng officially withdrew from the world rankings.

In international competitions, Ma Long, Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng have repeatedly achieved outstanding results, won honor for the motherland and the people, and made great contributions to the development of China's sports. The Chinese Table Tennis Association and the Chinese Table Tennis Team understand and respect the decision of the three athletes to withdraw from the world rankings, agree to the withdrawal of the three from the world rankings, and have completed all relevant procedures. The association will also continue to pay attention to the subsequent development of the three athletes. Whether they choose to return to the international arena in the future, the association will provide them with the greatest support to ensure that they maintain a good state in training and domestic competitions.

In response to the relevant demands raised by athletes recently, the Chinese Table Tennis Association has been actively communicating and coordinating with international organizations such as the ITTF and WTT World Table Tennis Federation on the premise of abiding by the rules, promoting the reasonable adjustment of competition rules, and ensuring that the legitimate rights and interests of athletes are fully protected. The International Table Tennis Federation also told the Chinese Table Tennis Association that it will seek appropriate ways to solve the problems of athletes through channels such as emergency convening of the Executive Committee and setting up a working group.

The Chinese Table Tennis Association sincerely thanks all sectors of society and fans for their support and attention to the association's work and national team athletes.

Chinese Table Tennis Association

December 31, 2024​

[乒乓球]马龙、樊振东和陈梦正式退出世界排名
https://tv.cctv.com/2024/12/31/VIDEwWOIeiWIdEDRrxzS6jQu241231.shtml
 
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Can't help but wonder what this all may mean for the WTT if any other big names also start to speak up about ZPP / scheduling issues. (Not that I think this is likely mind you -- I just find myself curious about possible follow-on effects if the matter doesn't go away in a hurry).

Oceania/ Australia is an absolute TT minnow on the world stage I know -- in most ITTF/WTT discussions we barely even rate a side mention. But even here, if any more big names choose to weigh in on scheduling issues it could have some unforeseen wider repercussions.

Here locally in Perth for example, there's been a bit of low level noise happening lately over the idea of Perth applying to host future WTT event(s) with state government support. While I appreciate it's just three individual athletes we're talking about here and now, taking FZD / ML & CM out of the picture could still conceivably make a bit of a dent in those efforts at a grassroots level. Whatever way you cut it, that's still a substantial amount of star-power heading out the door at once.
if Perth gets a WTT smash, and then you see half of top 30 feel they don't need to play because they are decorated, or old or want to play else where, this devalues the whole "smash" and i'm sure the event will not be as hot as you think and your Aussie money spent will be wasted. Now imagine, if Smash pariciaption has the same playing value as the Round of 32 in world champs and upwards?

So I understand why WTT need to force players, because in the ITTF days, players choose not to play and the value of the tournament drops.

so they need to be a balance.
CNT benefited big time here, its not like FZD played any small events, he only played 7 major WTT events and got good points for it. WCQ other than 1 star contender, he only played the majors too.

I can understand if JTTA is screaming, because JNT players play 20 events a year. (FZD 9 events, WCQ 15, LSD 16, Ma Long 8, Truls 19, Franziska 16, Aruna 18, Harimoto 22)

CNT players play so little, but are now causing the biggest issue because LGL and CTTA didn't inform FZD on how ZPP works in 2020? I find CTTA is also highly to be blamed in this all drama, because CTTA old boss is heavily involved with WTT.

The 4 smash and 6 champion goal and zpp was approved by CTTA from the get goal.
If anyone who knows how it works the most, it is LGL and CNT.

I just feel there are lots of hidden agends still. We all know the 3 are retiring, and what an offense before retiring.
before the interview happened, I wondered if LGL is going to talk as a representative of CTTA or WTT or ITTF.
Clearly he has chosen sides in this matter.

you remove the value of the tounrmanet, money will drop
you reduce tournament count, overall moeny will drop - maybe they should start off with removing all WTT events in China (since they are just too many). But I can understand the heavily Chinese WTT sponsors, won't be happy.
So what do you do, remove smash and champion from the other continents and make this a Chinese WTT again? This is a tough one. Allow top 30 players to opt out is also not a solution.
Maybe have a seperate world ranking for those that want to opt in. The ones that opt out, should be on a lower tier. Since, its only 10 events + Finals a year at the momnt. can't think of making it 4 + 1 or 8 + 1 will be any different or better.
 
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Just realised the only person left from this era who still has a WR is actually... ZYL!
 
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As CTTA President, LGL supports the players to defend their rights and interests. As an individual, he also thinks WTT's mandatory events have problems and merit discussion. ZZP and fines for skipping mandatory events would create immense pressure on the players, and WTT should grant exemptions [like how ATP does it] to old players, decorated players, and players who have made significant contribution to world table tennis [not certain if he meant WTT] and create a prize pool for young players and players with great results.

When asked if fans will see the 3 of them representing the country in international competitions in the future, LGL said if given their achievements and contribution, he believes they can participate as wild cards.

[乒乓球]刘国梁:中国乒协支持运动员捍卫自己的权益
https://tv.cctv.com/2024/12/31/VIDEzi4mqg9LJPA2NodpQ5Yl241231.shtml
[乒乓球]马龙、樊振东和陈梦正式退出世界排名
https://tv.cctv.com/2024/12/31/VIDEwWOIeiWIdEDRrxzS6jQu241231.shtml
声 明
https://www.ctta.cn/xhgg/qttz/2024/1231/639578.html
LGL should take this up with the WTT Chair ... oh wait.
 
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Added translation for the last part about the 3 of them being able to participate as wild cards in the future.

p.s.
Added translation for the CTTA's statement.
 
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Can't help but wonder what this all may mean for the WTT if any other big names also start to speak up about ZPP / scheduling issues. (Not that I think this is likely mind you -- I just find myself curious about possible follow-on effects if the matter doesn't go away in a hurry).

Oceania/ Australia is an absolute TT minnow on the world stage I know -- in most ITTF/WTT discussions we barely even rate a side mention. But even here, if any more big names choose to weigh in on scheduling issues it could have some unforeseen wider repercussions.

Here locally in Perth for example, there's been a bit of low level noise happening lately over the idea of Perth applying to host future WTT event(s) with state government support. While I appreciate it's just three individual athletes we're talking about here and now, taking FZD / ML & CM out of the picture could still conceivably make a bit of a dent in those efforts at a grassroots level. Whatever way you cut it, that's still a substantial amount of star-power heading out the door at once.
There are no Olympic singles gold medalists on tour anymore. Way to go, WTT!
 
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Someone more knowledgeable please clarify:
  • Can these "retired" players still play in the Olympics?
  • Can these "retired" players still play in the World Championships?
  • Can these "retired" players still play in the World Cup?
 
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Someone more knowledgeable please clarify:
  • Can these "retired" players still play in the Olympics?
  • Can these "retired" players still play in the World Championships?
  • Can these "retired" players still play in the World Cup?
There's no one more knowledgeable. CTTA, ITTF and WTT are busy inventing new rules as we speak as you can see below:
[乒乓球]刘国梁:中国乒协支持运动员捍卫自己的权益
https://tv.cctv.com/2024/12/31/VIDEzi4mqg9LJPA2NodpQ5Yl241231.shtml
As CTTA President, LGL supports the players to defend their rights and interests. As an individual, he also thinks WTT's mandatory events have problems and merit discussion. ZZP and fines for skipping mandatory events would create immense pressure on the players, and WTT should grant exemptions [like how ATP does it] to old players, decorated players, and players who have made significant contribution to world table tennis [not certain if he meant WTT] and create a prize pool for young players and players with great results.

When asked if fans will see the 3 of them representing the country in international competitions in the future, LGL said if given their achievements and contribution, he believes they can participate as wild cards.

声 明
https://www.ctta.cn/xhgg/qttz/2024/1231/639578.html

Statement
2024-12-31 16:06 China Table Tennis Association​

On December 31, according to the latest ITTF world rankings, Ma Long, Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng officially withdrew from the world rankings.

In international competitions, Ma Long, Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng have repeatedly achieved outstanding results, won honor for the motherland and the people, and made great contributions to the development of China's sports. The Chinese Table Tennis Association and the Chinese Table Tennis Team understand and respect the decision of the three athletes to withdraw from the world rankings, agree to the withdrawal of the three from the world rankings, and have completed all relevant procedures. The association will also continue to pay attention to the subsequent development of the three athletes. Whether they choose to return to the international arena in the future, the association will provide them with the greatest support to ensure that they maintain a good state in training and domestic competitions.

In response to the relevant demands raised by athletes recently, the Chinese Table Tennis Association has been actively communicating and coordinating with international organizations such as the ITTF and WTT World Table Tennis Federation on the premise of abiding by the rules, promoting the reasonable adjustment of competition rules, and ensuring that the legitimate rights and interests of athletes are fully protected. The International Table Tennis Federation also told the Chinese Table Tennis Association that it will seek appropriate ways to solve the problems of athletes through channels such as emergency convening of the Executive Committee and setting up a working group.

The Chinese Table Tennis Association sincerely thanks all sectors of society and fans for their support and attention to the association's work and national team athletes.

Chinese Table Tennis Association

December 31, 2024​

[乒乓球]马龙、樊振东和陈梦正式退出世界排名
https://tv.cctv.com/2024/12/31/VIDEwWOIeiWIdEDRrxzS6jQu241231.shtml
 
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This is so funny
I just had to post it here

WTT的最新規定最新條款,是由WTT董事會主席劉國梁主持通過、報請國際乒聯副主席劉國梁審批,然後傳達給中國乒協主席劉國梁的.

樊振東陳夢退出世界排名之後,WTT董事會主席劉國梁希望各協會運動員都要遵守新規定,國際乒聯副主席劉國梁也要求中國兵協做出解釋,中國乒協主席劉國梁表示尊重樊振東陳夢的個人決定,同時希望WTT新條款更能照顧到運動員的利益。

對於中國乒協主席劉國梁的訴求,WTT董事會主席劉國梁的答覆是,「訴求已收到,但現有規則必須遵守。"國際乒聯副主席劉國梁代表國際乒聯力挺WTT,並致電中國乒協主席劉國梁,希望以後不要再發生類似事件。
中國乒協主席劉國梁表示自己會盡到協會會員的責任,並感謝WTT董事會主席劉國梁對中國市場的認可,感謝國際乒聯副主席劉國梁對中國「乒乓王國」地位的肯定。未來,WTT董事會主席劉國梁、國際乒聯副主席劉國梁將與中國乒協主席劉國梁一如既往地並肩戰鬥,攜手打造WTT這一黃金賽事。
2025年,WTT有多站賽事在中國舉辦,屆時,國際乒聯副主席劉國梁、WTT董事會主席劉國梁都將蒞臨現場,中國乒協主席劉國梁將盡好東道主的義務。

Google translate

The latest regulations and terms of WTT were approved by Liu Guoliang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of WTT, submitted to ITTF Vice Chairman Liu Guoliang for approval, and then conveyed to Liu Guoliang, Chairman of China Table Tennis Association.

After Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng withdrew from the world rankings, WTT Board Chairman Liu Guoliang hoped that athletes from all associations should abide by the new regulations. ITTF Vice Chairman Liu Guoliang also asked the Chinese Table Tennis Association to explain. Chinese Table Tennis Association Chairman Liu Guoliang expressed respect for Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng. It’s a personal decision, and I hope the new WTT terms will take more care of the interests of athletes.

Regarding the appeal of Liu Guoliang, Chairman of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, Liu Guoliang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of WTT, responded, "The appeal has been received, but the existing rules must be abided by." ITTF Vice Chairman Liu Guoliang supported WTT on behalf of the ITTF and called the China Table Tennis Association. Chairman Liu Guoliang hopes that similar incidents will not happen again in the future.
Liu Guoliang, Chairman of the China Table Tennis Association, said that he would fulfill his responsibilities as an association member and thanked WTT Chairman Liu Guoliang for his recognition of the Chinese market and ITTF Vice Chairman Liu Guoliang for his recognition of China’s status as the “Kingdom of Table Tennis”. In the future, WTT Chairman Liu Guoliang and ITTF Vice Chairman Liu Guoliang will continue to fight side by side with China Table Tennis Association Chairman Liu Guoliang to create this golden event of WTT.
In 2025, many WTT events will be held in China. At that time, ITTF Vice Chairman Liu Guoliang and WTT Board Chairman Liu Guoliang will be present. Liu Guoliang, Chairman of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, will fulfill his obligations as a host.
 
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Someone more knowledgeable please clarify:
  • Can these "retired" players still play in the Olympics?
  • Can these "retired" players still play in the World Championships?
  • Can these "retired" players still play in the World Cup?
They player ID is retired
They would need to fill in a new player registration and could play again.

Just hope fzd this time reads what he is signing for 😂
 
I have been following the thread and have not made a comment so far. But....

How much money is there in table tennis? I don't think it is that much. It is a niche sport after all. I bet CTTA gets more money than ITTF or WTT. I would not be surprised that Liu Guoliang will fulfill his role as CTTA chairman above his international duties.

However, there has always been a lot of politics and corruption. Isn't Adham Sharara the former ITTF president who got caught with corruption? Isn't the only reason that ITTF did not follow with a full lawsuit because of money (it is expensive as heck to hire lawyers)? But yet Adham Sharara is now the president of Table Tennis Canada?

I mean, is the sport so poor that they cannot find anybody else? So Adham Sharara gets recycled everywhere?

Finally, we heard about all the players not being paid on time by WTT/ITTF. Is there even enough sponsors to keep paying out the prize money?

I think there are so many things wrong with this picture.....
 
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I have been following the thread and have not made a comment so far. But....

How much money is there in table tennis? I don't think it is that much. It is a niche sport after all. I bet CTTA gets more money than ITTF or WTT. I would not be surprised that Liu Guoliang will fulfill his role as CTTA chairman above his international duties.

However, there has always been a lot of politics and corruption. Isn't Adham Sharara the former ITTF president who got caught with corruption? Isn't the only reason that ITTF did not follow with a full lawsuit because of money (it is expensive as heck to hire lawyers)? But yet Adham Sharara is now the president of Table Tennis Canada?

I mean, is the sport so poor that they cannot find anybody else? So Adham Sharara gets recycled everywhere?

Finally, we heard about all the players not being paid on time by WTT/ITTF. Is there even enough sponsors to keep paying out the prize money?

I think there are so many things wrong with this picture.....
Not a lot of money for sure but facts, cnt players wins the most prize monies with little participation
 
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