The best tennis table players in history
It is difficult to name the best table tennis players in history as it depends on various factors such as individual achievements, performances in international competitions, career longevity and style of play.
Our ranking of the top 10 table tennis players
here are some names that are often mentioned among the best table tennis players of all time:
Our Top 5 of the best players in table tennis history
- Ma Long (China) – Considered one of the greatest players of all time, Ma Long has won numerous major titles, including three Olympic gold medals and several world championships.
- Zhang Jike (China) – A talented and charismatic player, Zhang Jike won two Olympic gold medals and was the first player to achieve the “Grand Slam” by winning the Olympic, World and World Cup titles in singles in the same year.
- Jan-Ove Waldner (Sweden) – He has been called the “Mozart of table tennis”. We recognize in Waldner an elegant and creative style of play. He won the Olympic title, four world championships and was one of the most popular players of his time.
- Deng Yaping (China) – Considered one of the greatest players of all time, Deng Yaping won four Olympic gold medals and dominated the women’s table tennis scene for a decade.
- Liu Guoliang (China) – After a successful playing career, Liu Guoliang has become an influential coach. He won many titles including a world singles championship and contributed to the success of the Chinese team
Other top players
- Wang Liqin (China) – Wang Liqin was one of the most dominant players of his era. Indeed, he has won many major titles. For example, one World Singles Championship and three World Cup titles.
- Xu Xin (China) – A versatile and creative player. Xu Xin, famous for his spectacular game and his ability to adapt to different game situations. He also won many major titles. Likewise, he was ranked among the best players in the world for many years.
- Timo Boll (Germany) – Boll is one of the most accomplished European table tennis players in history. Thanks to his many titles, he was a formidable competitor in world competitions.
- Jörgen Persson (Sweden) – Persson was one of the best European players of his generation. Indeed, he has won several Olympic medals and world championships.
- Guo Yuehua (China) – Guo Yuehua was one of the first Chinese TT stars. For example, he won the title of world champion in 1961. Moreover, he is considered a pioneer of modern gaming in China.
It is important to note that there are many other exceptional players in table tennis. They have marked the history of this sport, and this list is not exhaustive. Top table tennis players often come from China. Indeed, this country dominated the TT for many years. But other countries like Sweden, South Korea and Japan have also produced big name players.
Featured image: Picture by bublikhaus on Freepik
