Serving up a singular year

Setback alarm

However, beyond the glimmering victories, cracks have begun to show in China's table tennis dominance. At the Asian Table Tennis Championships, the team secured just two titles — in men's team and mixed doubles — while the women's team suffered a stunning 3-1 loss to Japan, failing to claim the championship for the first time since 1990.

These missteps exposed gaps in preparation and on-the-spot execution, underscoring the need for stronger mental resilience among younger players.

At the WTT Champions Montpellier tournament, the absence of six Olympic champions further tested the team's depth. Neither the men's nor women's singles competitors reached the finals.

National team head coach Li Sun acknowledged the hurdles, attributing the dip in performance to a packed post-Olympic schedule that left top players with limited time for systematic training and recovery.

"The start of a new Olympic cycle brings a more open competitive landscape. Our main players have struggled to regain peak form, and younger talents, like Lin Shidong, need more time and match experience to develop," he said.

Li assured fans that the coaching team is taking the issues seriously and is committed to addressing them.

"The key is to learn from these setbacks," he added.

He also called for understanding and patience from fans, reaffirming the team's unwavering confidence and determination to rise above challenges and pursue victory.