Chengdu and the ITTF Roadmap: Time to Read Between the Lines

~ pingpongdepot

By Thierry Verviers


We often see ITTF press releases scroll by containing very corporate buzzwords: “governance,” “stability,” “bidding for 2027.” It’s easy to just scroll past and tell yourself that this happens in offices far removed from our gyms.

However, the meeting in Chengdu last week sends a very clear message if you take the trouble to decode it: table tennis is shifting gears, and those who don’t adapt will be left behind.

The ITTF’s objective is obvious: to deliver a “TV-ready” product for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.


The End of the “Diesel” Player

Concretely, what does this mean for us coaches? It means that the international competition format now dictates immediate intensity. With the proliferation of short formats (best of 5) and media pressure, the luxury of “easing” into a match no longer exists.

The player who needs two sets to analyze their opponent is a player of the past. The player of tomorrow must be able to “pre-scan” and execute from the very first point.


The Direct Impact on Our Training

If the ITTF wants a fast-paced show, we must train tactical and mental sprinters.

  • Managing the “Cold Start”: In training, we must stop endless warm-ups. We need to put the athlete in match situations very quickly.
  • Lightning Tactics: We must develop tactical autonomy in players so they can change strategy after 3 points, not after 3 sets.
  • Integrity: The meeting also emphasized “Safe Sport” and governance. This is non-negotiable. The structure surrounding the athlete must be as professional as their forehand.


My Conclusion

These decisions made in China are not theoretical. They define the playing field on which our youth will have to perform in a few years. Our job is to stop training for the table tennis of yesterday and start preparing them for the reality of tomorrow: fast, brutal, and without a safety net.


In Practice: Training Adjustments

If we want to match this reality, here is what we must integrate right now:

  • The “9-9 Scenario”: Start your training matches directly at 9-9. This forces clarity under immediate pressure.
  • 5-Point Sets: Accustom players to urgency. In a 5-point set, every mistake is costly. That is the reality of the current high level.
  • Use “Best of 3” Formats: Organize mini-tournaments (best of 3 games) with the 3rd game starting at 10-10. The pressure of immediate defeat changes decision-making and the mental aspect.
  • Focus on the “First Opener”: Spend less time on pure consistency and more time on the quality of the first 3 balls (Serve – Return – First Attack). That is where the match is won today.
  • Express Mental Routines: Teach players to “reset” in 3 seconds between points. They no longer have time for long routines.


Sources and References For those who want to dive deeper into the political and strategic aspects of the announcement:

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