Table tennis

Table tennis, also called ping-pong, is a racket sport that started from tennis. Players hit a light ball over a net on a table using small rackets. They take turns hitting the ball until someone misses and the other player scores a point. The game is fast and fun, and players often use spin to change where the ball goes.

Because it only needs a small space and can be played inside, table tennis is enjoyed by people everywhere. It is a fun activity for anyone and also a sport that people compete in.

Since then, table tennis has been an Olympic sport, with competitions for men’s and women’s singles and teams. The sport is overseen by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), which was founded in 1926 and now has many member associations around the world.

History

Table tennis began in Victorian England as a fun game people played after dinner. At first, people used books as nets and rackets, and a golf ball. In 1883, a company named Slazenger made a net for the game. The name "ping-pong" became popular, but later it was used by a company, so many people started calling it table tennis.

Over time, new equipment made the game better. In the 1950s, paddles with rubber and sponge made the game faster and more fun. Table tennis became an Olympic sport in 1988, which added more excitement for players everywhere.

Rules and regulations

The official rules for table tennis are in the ITTF handbook, first published in 1927. The current version came out in 2022.

After the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, some rules changed to make the game better for TV. Bigger balls were introduced to slow the game down. The scoring system changed from 21 points to 11 points to make matches faster and more exciting. Other changes helped make the serve clearer for players and viewers.

Equipment

Table tennis is played with a small, light ball that bounces well. The ball must weigh 2.7 grams and be 40 millimetres wide. It is usually white or orange and made from a special material.

The table used for the game is 2.74 metres long, 1.525 metres wide, and 76 centimetres high. It has a dark, smooth surface divided by a net.

Players use rackets made of wood covered with rubber on one or both sides. The rubber can make the ball spin or go faster. One side of the racket must be black, and the other a bright colour such as red, blue, green, pink, or violet. This helps players see which side of the racket hit the ball.

Gameplay

Table tennis, also called ping-pong, is a fast sport played on a table with small rackets and a light ball. Players or pairs take turns hitting the ball over the net to the other side. The goal is to make the other person unable to return the ball, which earns a point.

The game starts with a coin toss or a small guessing game to decide who serves first. The server throws the ball up and hits it so it bounces on their side and then goes over the net to the other side. Players hit the ball back and forth until someone makes a mistake. Points are scored when a player cannot return the ball correctly, the ball hits the wrong part of the table, or other rules are broken. A game is usually played to 11 points, and players switch sides after each game.

Grips

Table tennis players hold their rackets in different ways. There are two main styles: penhold and shakehand.

The penhold grip looks like holding a writing instrument. It is popular in East Asian countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. In this style, players curl their middle, ring, and fourth fingers around the back of the racket. Some players use a square-headed racket.

The shakehand grip looks like giving a handshake. It is common in Europe and the Americas and is easier to learn than the penhold style. This grip allows for many different ways to play.

Another less common grip is the Seemiller grip, named after American table tennis champion Danny Seemiller. It is good for blocking and looping spins on the ball.

Stance

In table tennis, the stance is called the 'ready position'. It is the way players stand when they are waiting to hit the ball. Players stand with their feet wider than shoulder width and bend their knees a little. This helps them move fast and stay balanced. They lean their upper body forward a bit and hold the racket with a bent arm, looking straight ahead. This stance helps players hit the ball and move quickly. Players might change their stance a little depending on what feels best for them.

Types of strokes

Table tennis has different strokes that players use to hit the ball. Some strokes are used to attack the opponent, while others help keep the rally going and create chances to attack.

Offensive strokes include the hit, where the player hits the ball directly and fast. The loop stroke uses topspin so the ball arcs and jumps forward. The smash is used when the ball is hit too high or close to the net, sending it very fast toward the opponent.

Defensive strokes include the push, which uses backspin to make the ball float slowly. The chop also uses backspin to counter the opponent’s topspin. The block simply rebounds the ball back to the opponent. The lob sends the ball high with lots of spin, making it hard for the opponent to return.

Effects of spin

Adding spin to the ball changes how table tennis is played. Players use spin to make the ball move in surprising ways.

Backspin happens when the bottom of the ball spins away from the player. It is often used when serving because it makes the ball harder to return quickly. Topspin makes the ball curve and bounce higher, which helps the player. Sidespin spins the ball sideways and hides the ball’s movement. Corkspin or "drill-spin" makes the ball dart sideways after bouncing, which can confuse the opponent. Each type of spin helps players during a game.

Competitions

Competitive table tennis is very popular in East Asia and Europe, and it is becoming more well-known in the United States. The biggest international competitions include the World Table Tennis Championships, the Table Tennis World Cup, the Olympics, and the World Table Tennis Finals. There are also important competitions in different areas such as the European Championships, Europe Top-16, the Asian Championships, and the Asian Games.

Chinese players have won many titles in the World Championships. Other strong teams come from countries like Austria, Belarus, Germany, Hong Kong, Portugal, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Sweden, and Taiwan. There are also professional leagues in several countries, including Austria, Belgium, China, Japan, France, Germany, and Russia. In 2023, a virtual reality table tennis competition was held during Olympic Esports Week in Singapore.

Naturalized players in international competition

See also: List of naturalised Olympic table tennis players from China

In the 2016 Summer Olympics, many table tennis players were from countries different from where they were born. About 31% of players had become citizens of another country to compete. This was twice as many as in basketball.

Some players, like Feng Tianwei from Singapore, have won many medals. This has caused discussions in some countries about whether it is fair. Rules were later created to wait several years after a player changes countries before they can compete for their new nation.

Notable players

For a more comprehensive list, see List of table tennis players.

An official hall of fame exists at the ITTF Museum. A Grand Slam is when a player wins singles titles at the Olympic Games, the World Championships, and the World Cup. Jan-Ove Waldner of Sweden was the first to complete the grand slam in 1992, and Zhang Yining and Ma Long are the only players to have done it twice. Other notable players have come close but missed out on one major title.

Governance

Main category: Table tennis organizations

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has been the main group for table tennis since 1926. It keeps scores for players and runs big tournaments like the World Table Tennis Championships. In 2007, the ITTF began helping people with disabilities play table tennis too.

There are also groups for table tennis in different parts of the world. For example, the European Table Tennis Union handles the sport in Europe, and USA Table Tennis (USATT) is in charge in the United States. These groups help organize games and make rules for players in their areas.

Variants

Hardbat table tennis uses rackets with small bumps and no sponge. This makes the game slower and reduces spin. The World Championship of Ping Pong uses old wooden paddles covered with sandpaper.

Round the World (also called Round Robin or Round the Table) is a fun, informal version of table tennis for parties. Players line up on both sides of the table. When a player hits the ball, they set their paddle down. The next player picks it up to return the ball. Players take turns and move to the other side when they set down their paddle. The game continues until only two players are left.