French Pro A 2024-2025

[ThePongCommenter]

well, I know the Joola people
I think in terms of support, and human relations, it is pretty decent to have.
I have dealt with over a dozen TT brands, so I can say, I know a bit about vendor relations

How do vendor relations help washed up players get back into peak form?

You mention knowing the JOOLA people, have you heard something about a particular amount of support or opportunity they are going to give him? To most people in the USA where they are based and host tournaments etc. it is pretty clear that the owner only cares about pickleball so maybe you have some inside information I don't but just curious what you think JOOLA is going to do for Pitchford that he didn't have before since I think I've seen you mention that on a few occasions now.

 

[ThePongCommenter]

Tony is a very knowledgable guy......however, I think he presented some inaccurate information
Pitchford's record is MLTT is NOT 90% win ratio....not sure how you came up with that ratio
His MLTT record is 17 wins and 10 losses in single matches....63% win ratio......that is closer to 50% than it is to 90%...........you can look it up on the MLTT website.
He is one of the very best players in MLTT and a lot of fun to watch, but he is not totally crushing all of his opponents like many expected he would.

90% win if you consider the match score of 2-1 or 3-0 as a win, even though MLTT scores on a game-by-game basis.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

How do vendor relations help washed up players get back into peak form?

according to mltt experts, there is no washed up players here, only washed up stats

You mention knowing the JOOLA people, have you heard something about a particular amount of support or opportunity they are going to give him? To most people in the USA where they are based and host tournaments etc. it is pretty clear that the owner only cares about pickleball so maybe you have some inside information I don't but just curious what you think JOOLA is going to do for Pitchford that he didn't have before since I think I've seen you mention that on a few occasions now.

you more than welcome to ask Matt directly
Pitchford had a few choices, he did choose Joola too.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Maybe change the title of this thread from French Pro A, which actually sounds interesting, to More Arguing About Liam Pitchford, which does not?

very good idea
the whole thread was for Pitchford had his 1 recent win (and forgetting his losses)

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

Tony is a very knowledgable guy......however, I think he presented some inaccurate information
Pitchford's record is MLTT is NOT 90% win ratio....not sure how you came up with that ratio
His MLTT record is 17 wins and 10 losses in single matches....63% win ratio......that is closer to 50% than it is to 90%...........you can look it up on the MLTT website.
He is one of the very best players in MLTT and a lot of fun to watch, but he is not totally crushing all of his opponents like many expected he would.

That 17-10 is *games* won vs. lost. Look at Liam's SPINDEX rating and click on details. It shows his singles *matches * won vs. lost as 8-1.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Tony is a very knowledgable guy......however, I think he presented some inaccurate information
Pitchford's record is MLTT is NOT 90% win ratio....not sure how you came up with that ratio
His MLTT record is 17 wins and 10 losses in single matches....63% win ratio......that is closer to 50% than it is to 90%...........you can look it up on the MLTT website.
He is one of the very best players in MLTT and a lot of fun to watch, but he is not totally crushing all of his opponents like many expected he would.

thanks to @ThePongCommenter and @pongfugrasshopper who showed me too.
there is game scores and match scores.
90% is match scores (matching that used in the Pro A of 42% today)

 

[ThePongCommenter]

according to mltt experts, there is no washed up players here, only washed up stats

you more than welcome to ask Matt directly
Pitchford had a few choices, he did choose Joola too.

Don't need to ask Matt directly for what he posted publicly on this forum. I'm aware that Pitchford allegedly picked JOOLA over other equal or better options. I'm asking what you think JOOLA is able to do to help him regain his form? Since you've mentioned JOOLA's power and influence several times recently.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Don't need to ask Matt directly for what he posted publicly on this forum. I'm aware that Pitchford allegedly picked JOOLA over other equal or better options. I'm asking what you think JOOLA is able to do to help him regain his form? Since you've mentioned JOOLA's power and influence several times recently.

regain his form - I actually have no comment on that.
however, he is in a space with better that care for him, over other brands that probably won't care as much.
how much of that care can help to change around his slump - maybe confidence boost, or maybe not.

but to be more fair to MLTT, I must answer, by playing in the MLTT, he will regain his form

 

[ThePongCommenter]

regain his form - I actually have no comment on that.
however, he is in a space with better that care for him, over other brands that probably won't care as much.
how much of that care can help to change around his slump - maybe confidence boost, or maybe not.

but to be more fair to MLTT, I must answer, by playing in the MLTT, he will regain his form

Well you mentioned that you hope he turns around his performance "now that he has Matt and Richard backing him". Then mention that you know JOOLA people personally and have worked with a dozen brands so you know how vendor relations helps performance.

So that sounds like you know something JOOLA is going to do that might help Pitchford turn his performance around. Maybe something like more funding, connecting him to more training opportunities, providing him coaching/sports psychology or something like that?

Do you, knowing the JOOLA people, have any idea about what they are doing to care for him apart from what Matt Hetherington stated himself on this thread?

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Well you mentioned that you hope he turns around his performance "now that he has Matt and Richard backing him". Then mention that you know JOOLA people personally and have worked with a dozen brands so you know how vendor relations helps performance
So that sounds like you know something JOOLA is going to do that might help Pitchford turn his performance around. Maybe something like more funding, connecting him to more training opportunities, providing him coaching/sports psychology or something like that?

More funding - I don't have that details, and it surely isn't for your eyes too.
Training: Joola has training centers and what not, that they can offer to players. Heck, they even have clubs that Pitchford can join, should his miserable Pro A season becomes a problem for next season (job security)

maybe it will help, maybe not, but it is better than Victas.

psychology problem, Joola is not in the psychology business..... else LGY would join Joola in a heartbeat

Do you, knowing the JOOLA people, have any idea about what they are doing to care for him apart from what Matt Hetherington stated himself on this thread?

If it is meant to be shared, Matt will share.

so, what are you trying to prove here? or you nosy Chinese aunty that wants to know everything

 

[ThePongCommenter]

More funding - I don't have that details, and it surely isn't for your eyes too.
Training: Joola has training centers and what not, that they offer to players. Heck, they even have clubs that Pitchford can join, should his miserable Pro A season becomes a problem for next years (job security)
maybe it will help, maybe not, but it is better than Victas.

psychology problem, Joola is not in the psychology business..... else LGY would join Joola in a heartbeat

If it is meant to be shared, Matt will share.

so, what are you trying to prove here? or you nosy Chinese aunty that wants to know everything

I am not trying to prove anything - been asking a simple question of what specifically you think JOOLA can do to help Pitchford turn around his performance since that is what you stated as a possibility in your original comment.

You mention knowing people at JOOLA - do you have info from them that you aren't allowed to share publicly or do you just not really have any specifics about how that might happen apart from what Matt Hetherington already publicly stated on this forum?

 

[piligrim]

I am not trying to prove anything - been asking a simple question of what specifically you think JOOLA can do to help Pitchford turn around his performance since that is what you stated as a possibility in your original comment.

You mention knowing people at JOOLA - do you have info from them that you aren't allowed to share publicly or do you just not really have any specifics about how that might happen apart from what Matt Hetherington already publicly stated on this forum?

They gave him new blade and rubbers. What else he need?

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

I am not trying to prove anything - been asking a simple question of what specifically you think JOOLA can do to help Pitchford turn around his performance since that is what you stated as a possibility in your original comment.

You mention knowing people at JOOLA - do you have info from them that you aren't allowed to share publicly or do you just not really have any specifics about how that might happen apart from what Matt Hetherington already publicly stated on this forum?

I heard a few things, I am able to validate further if I am nosy, but never the less, I see no purpose to tell you any more because it is really none of your business.

PS. I have a Joola player under my wing.

 

[ThePongCommenter]

I heard a few things, I am able to validate further if I am nosy, but never the less, I see no purpose to tell you any more because it is really none of your business.

PS. I have a Joola player under my wing.

Why mention it publicly if it's none of anybody's business?

Huang Yu-wen and/or Yang Heng-wei......cool. Don't see what they would know about Pitchford's sponsorship.

 

[ThePongCommenter]

More funding - I don't have that details, and it surely isn't for your eyes too.
Training: Joola has training centers and what not, that they can offer to players. Heck, they even have clubs that Pitchford can join, should his miserable Pro A season becomes a problem for next season (job security)

maybe it will help, maybe not, but it is better than Victas.

psychology problem, Joola is not in the psychology business..... else LGY would join Joola in a heartbeat

If it is meant to be shared, Matt will share.

so, what are you trying to prove here? or you nosy Chinese aunty that wants to know everything

I'm aware of JOOLA sponsoring ASC Grunwettersbach. Not really full of world class players Pitchford's level or above training there on a regular basis so not sure how that would help him.

Stating what opportunities JOOLA can provide Pitchford to regain his level is in no way confidential information so your hesitancy to elaborate is confusing to me.

 

[NextLevel]

Over the hill Liam Pitchford just destroyed over the hill Sun Wen (from the CSL) 3-0.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[NextLevel]

Pitchford beats over the hill Quadri Aruna 3-1. Amazing form on display by Liam Pitchford. @Matt Hetherington , what did you do with his forehand lol? Juiced it with extra booster?

 

[Matt Hetherington]

Pitchford was WR 20 player just 2~3 years ago. he has been 30, then 40, now at 50 ranked.
am I correct to read that we are discussing if he did a good job beating players that are wr100 and 200?

if i am a club boss, those wins should actually be required.
in fact, I would want Pitchford to be beat wr50 players and higher.

Pro A win rate update for Pitchford, only 42%
he still looses more than he wins. that is fact. I truly hope he turns that around, now that he has Matt and Richard backing him.

Fyi he hasn’t lost a league match since switching. In French or MLTT 😂 he just beat Sun Wen 3-0 and then beat Aruna tonight.

I mean I actually pay attention to him and what he needs, I feel like that’s a good start. At least now he is a more central focus for a brand rather than being a backseat fringe player for others.

 

[Matt Hetherington]

Perhaps I can address some of the comments in this thread. Honestly I am very close friends with Pitch, I keep in touch with him regularly before and after matches and in between. Pitch knows that his mental game is really the biggest key to him playing well and being in the right headspace. I think more than anything just having a team who is really behind him and believe he still has better days ahead is important for him. It’s easy for people to say he is washed up or his best is passed. I still think he has more to give and I think honestly he has been playing better since he made the switch. I’m happy to let the results speak for themselves as we continue to move forward.

Regarding world ranking there are obviously plenty of factors in play with this system. Pitch could definitely be higher. The new ETTU ranking system created a pretty unfair situation at top 16 cup, which is a major WR points opportunity. Is it fair to have Duda playing qualification? Not really imo.

Also he had some small injuries leading up to Olympics last year so there was some points dropoff.

Obviously I can’t discuss the details of his contract but all I can say is that there are plenty of reasons why he chose us and I’m hopefully it will be a good partnership 😇

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Fyi he hasn’t lost a league match since switching. In French or MLTT 😂 he just beat Sun Wen 3-0 and then beat Aruna tonight.

I mean I actually pay attention to him and what he needs, I feel like that’s a good start. At least now he is a more central focus for a brand rather than being a backseat fringe player for others.

yep, hence I said it is a good move for him, with a brand that pays attention to him
very important to have a bond.
but then careful, all these forumers will want every information they can get on how indeed Joola is good for him haha, no different to gossip groups

however, this all started with me saying a private league like MLTT isn't really attracting all stars and are really just a tier 2 status in terms of league difficult.
maybe next season we will have more of an all star bunch, with up to 3 x 2800+ committed, and maybe a 4th if my discussion with Mimi goes well. I mean, wouldn't it be nice to have a CNT A team player in the MLTT too?