Fan Zhendong targets new challenges in Germany with Saarbrucken

BERLIN - Chinese table tennis star Fan Zhendong attended the season launch of 1. FC Saarbrucken Tischtennis on Wednesday, confirming that he will compete in the Table Tennis Bundesliga, the German Cup and the Champions League with the club this season.

At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Fan won both the men's singles and men's team gold medals, completing the career "Grand Slam" with titles at the World Cup, World Championships and Olympics.

On June 1, Saarbrucken officially announced that Fan would represent the club in the new season.

"I am very happy to join Saarbrucken," Fan said at the press conference. "I played here at the World Cup in 2016 and had wonderful memories. I am grateful for the support and help that made it possible for me to come to Germany to play."

Asked about representing China again, the Olympic champion stressed: "Now as a member of Saarbrucken, I need to complete my tasks here first. I know many people are following my performances in the Bundesliga, and the national team will communicate with me about future arrangements depending on the circumstances. For now, I don't want to think too much ahead - it's about doing well in the matches in front of me."

Adjusting to a new environment, Fan noted that he has been gradually adapting to the rhythm of life and training in Germany.

"From a competitive perspective, the Bundesliga is a very high-level league," Fan said. "Now that I am part of it, I feel both nervous and excited, and I am really looking forward to fighting with the team for more victories."

He added, "I am very happy to embrace more challenges in my career. Experiencing these challenges will make my career richer and, hopefully, make me a better person."

Saarbrucken has maintained a top-level presence in European table tennis over the past four years, winning one Bundesliga title and finishing runners-up three times, while also securing three consecutive Champions League crowns.

For club captain Patrick Franziska, having Fan as a teammate is a welcome change. "We have played against each other many times on the international stage, and I even beat him recently," Franziska said. "From my perspective, I hope we never play against each other again. Now we are teammates, and I am sure we can learn a lot from each other, grow together, and enjoy competing side by side."

Club manager Nicolas Bastuer expressed hopes for deeper collaboration with Chinese table tennis. "China has always been number one in the world," he said. "We can learn a lot from our Chinese colleagues, and this is very important for the entire European table tennis community."

Fan's Table Tennis Bundesliga debut is scheduled for Sunday.