CTTA goes to bat for star players

Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, and Chen Meng, three of China's most celebrated table tennis players, have been officially withdrawn from the latest world rankings published by the International Table Tennis Federation on Tuesday.

In response, Liu Guoliang, president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA), said he would press World Table Tennis to revise its rules, aiming to better the rights and interests of athletes.

WTT unveiled its 2025 handbook last month, introducing strict penalties for late withdrawals and schedule violations.

Seeded players who withdraw from main draw events will face double fines and are barred from competing in any other events that week, including club matches and exhibitions.

Top 100 singles players must also submit their schedules six months in advance or risk a $500 fine.

After the introduction of these regulations, Paris Olympic singles champions Fan and Chen announced their "retirement from all ITTF-sanctioned events", including those organized by WTT, on microblogging platform Sina Weibo.

Earlier, during the WTT China Smash in Beijing in October, Ma Long publicly declared that the tournament would mark his final international appearance.

The CTTA issued a statement on Tuesday, praising Ma, Fan, and Chen for their extraordinary achievements on the international stage.

"We respect their decisions to withdraw from the world ranking system, have approved their request, and completed all necessary procedures," the CTTA stated. It added that the association would continue to follow and support the athletes, ensuring they stay in top form, regardless of their future plans and "whether they choose to return to the international stage or focus on domestic competitions".

Liu said that, following the Paris Olympics, the association and the national team maintained close communication with key players, focusing on their physical and mental recovery, training plans and personal arrangements.

"Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, and Chen Meng have brought immense pride to the nation, capturing gold and silver at major tournaments and making significant contributions to Chinese and global table tennis," Liu said. "I fully understand, support and respect their decisions."

He added: "As CTTA president, I am committed to supporting our athletes in defending their rights and safeguarding their interests."

WTT was founded by the International Table Tennis Federation in 2019, which marks a milestone in professionalizing the sport, focusing on athletes and fans, while revamping event and commercial systems to expand its global reach. Responding to recent controversies, WTT clarified in a statement that the rules referenced by Fan and Chen are not newly introduced, but have been in place since its inception four years ago, aiming to ensure top players participate in key events, maintain fairness and deliver high-quality competitions.