Pros are trained to serve border line (I know, because I used to serve 5-7 hours a week, for years).
Umpires ARE NOT trained on serving and I'm not sure if they do get they eyes tested before every tournament (without technology and only on the naked eye, is actually unfair for umpires in this technology age)
Its not just the contact, but also the angle of the toss (backward).
Well yes, I have now seen many matches of the gentlemen. Referees have indicated several times that the throwing should not be given backwards.
As far as I know I can still see reasonably well, but what I've seen in the last week is unbelievable. Not a single time, but not a single time, was there a reprimand for serving above the table. And don't say that the top players look for the borderline. I can name them all (and they are not many) that each service from behind their borderline server. I can also name ten players who occasionally or even frequently serve above the table. You shouldn't be blind to that.
To be honest, I see Lim JH (and that's not because I have anything against Lim, far from it, top player) giving next to no valid service.
The referee over him must indicate this, but that never happened! It's a shame because this narrows the playing field drastically!
It's about time that there was some kind of eagle eye at the level of the borderlines. If it could have been placed in Xinxiang last week and linked to a buzzer, you would hear something!
The top players would be amazed at the musical effect they create with that buzzer! 🤣
Top players and referees should be ashamed!
It takes us from the beautiful sport of table tennis to the game that is played in a back room of the local cafe / bar and bears the name ping pong.
Am I really the only one here who doesn't like these illegal services?