So, while watching Swedish Open and seeing Zhou Qihao taking down Liam Pitchford and Zhao Zihao taking down Mattias Falck I came across the thought that China might have actually benefit of the plastic ball change.
Could it be that China was just faster to adapt to technical and tactical changes necessary by the „now-not-so-new“ ball compared with other (especially European) associations. And especially the younger generation now has a technical and tactical edge over the majority of foreign players.
I know, Chinese players always have been very strong in international competition. This year however even more Chinese players (especially aged 24 and younger) breeze through qualifiers into main draw. Last year there was only 1 WT event with 8 Chinese players im Main Draw. This Year Japan and Australia featured 9 players and Sweden and Hungary even 10 players in the Round of 32.
What do you think about that? Or do you think it‘s just a coincidence that China has a lot more talent born around 1996-1999 that now pops off on the scene?
Could it be that China was just faster to adapt to technical and tactical changes necessary by the „now-not-so-new“ ball compared with other (especially European) associations. And especially the younger generation now has a technical and tactical edge over the majority of foreign players.
I know, Chinese players always have been very strong in international competition. This year however even more Chinese players (especially aged 24 and younger) breeze through qualifiers into main draw. Last year there was only 1 WT event with 8 Chinese players im Main Draw. This Year Japan and Australia featured 9 players and Sweden and Hungary even 10 players in the Round of 32.
What do you think about that? Or do you think it‘s just a coincidence that China has a lot more talent born around 1996-1999 that now pops off on the scene?