Profiles – 360TT Blog

Waldner's 10 Tips | Special Content

Sun, 17 May 2026 20:11:00 -0300

Jan-Ove Waldner is considered by many to be the greatest table tennis player of all time. In When the Feeling Decides, written by Jens Fellke, Waldner closes the book with a special chapter: 10 straight-talking pieces of advice for anyone who wants to reach the top. We translated and commented on each one for you.

TL;DR: Waldner’s 10 pieces of advice mix technique, tactics and mindset. At the table: be a complete player, have weapons that win points, play relaxed and master the three distances. To keep improving: play a lot while you are young, study good players and analyze your opponents. And above all, use your head, be respectful and think long term.

1. Become a complete player

To win big titles, you need to master the game against every style of opponent. That is why it is essential to train and compete regularly against different profiles. The most important styles to master are loopers (maximum topspin), attackers (maximum speed) and choppers (maximum backspin).

Another fundamental aspect is learning to play against left-handers. Keep in mind that both right-handers and left-handers spend 85% of their playing time facing right-handers. So being successful against both types takes a well-developed technique and very sharp balance.

Waldner says he had the advantage of training a lot with left-handers from his very first club, Spårvägen, where he played with Mikael Appelgren and Ulf Thorsell. Later, on the Swedish national team, left-handers were well represented: Appelgren again, Stellan Bengtsson, Erik Lindh, Ulf Bengtsson, Thomas von Scheele and Peter Nilsson.

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How many times do you avoid playing against a style that bothers you? The discomfort in training is exactly what prepares you not to be surprised in competition. Go looking for the tough opponents, not the easy ones.

2. Develop weapons that win points

Table tennis is a tough sport, played under a lot of pressure. Many times you have to play several matches in a single day. That is why it is important to be able to win points simply and quickly.

Waldner could always count on his serves, which were often decisive and won the point outright. On top of that, he worked hard to complement his serves with a varied and unpredictable forehand. He recommends taking time to analyze which point-winning weapons you already have, and remembering that new weapons can always be developed.

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Every weapon starts with a conscious choice to develop it. Have you ever stopped to analyze what your current strengths are and what new weapons you could build? This self-assessment exercise is well worth it.

3. Develop a relaxed technique

Table tennis demands an enormous amount of practice. Always try to play as relaxed as possible. This increases your chances of keeping your quality even in tough situations and, at the same time, lowers your susceptibility to injury.

Waldner says that he personally managed to avoid injuries throughout his career, and he believes this is one of the reasons he was able to stay at the top for so many years.

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Tension is the enemy of technique. If you notice that you freeze at decisive moments, the problem is rarely a lack of skill, it is too much tension. Working on relaxation in training is as important as working on the stroke itself.

4. Play a lot while you are young

Table tennis demands advanced motor coordination and dexterity. That is why it is essential to learn as much technique as possible before the age of 13. As long as it is fun, train and compete as often as you can.

Use your imagination by constantly trying new strokes, even during matches. Try a new strategy in the middle of a game. Treat a 10-10 in the deciding set as a challenge to test your most effective serve or a new kind of serve return.

Remember that a table tennis career is quite long. When you feel bad about a loss, try to think about the next tournament and how you can improve.

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Parents and coaches, this tip is especially for you. A free, exploratory play environment in childhood is fundamental, but be careful: fun and seriousness have to go together. Playing with a light heart is essential, but without real commitment to development, the young athlete does not move forward. The balance between the two is what makes champions.

5. Master the three distances / timings

Many players dominate the game from only one or two distances. Waldner’s recommendation is that you consciously practice playing at all three distances after the ball bounces:

Distance 1 (timing 1), rising ball: you must hit the ball before it reaches its highest point after the bounce. You need to learn to use short, fast strokes with little backswing.
Distance 2 (timing 2), ball at the top of the bounce: you must learn to use a relaxed technique when hitting the ball exactly at its highest point after the bounce. A wide variety of strokes can be applied successfully at this distance.
Distance 3 (timing 3), falling ball: you hit the ball after it has reached its highest point, already on its way down. This distance calls for a technique with a big forearm movement before impact.

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Playing well at only one timing is a blind spot that any experienced opponent will exploit. And here is a fundamental principle: if you do not decide when to touch the ball and do not position yourself for it, your opponent decides when you touch the ball. Consciously choosing your timing is part of the tactical game, not just the technical one.

6. Study good players

Watch as much table tennis as you can. Study recordings of yourself and of high-level players. Waldner used to study the Hungarian player Tibor Klampar, whose wrist movements and ball striking were of extraordinary quality. By studying Chinese players, he learned to value the importance of developing effective serves.

Try to imitate certain players to better understand the advantages and disadvantages of different playing styles, grip types and movement patterns. On the Swedish national team, the squad always had a lot of fun imitating opponents over the years, and Erik Lindh was a master at imitating them.

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It has never been so easy to access high-level videos as it is today. The question is: do you watch as a spectator or as a student? Change the lens and you will notice how much you learn.

7. Analyze your opponents

Only when you face a player for the first time can you get a real sense of the quality of, say, their forehand loop. So rely on the help of teammates who have already played against that opponent. Bring every relevant detail into the conversation. Remember that there are many ways to win in table tennis. The more prepared you are, the better your chances. The margins in this sport sometimes seem tiny, but it is always the more complete and professional player who benefits from them.

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Tactical preparation is not cheating, it is competitive intelligence. At tournaments, arrive early, watch the matches of your possible opponents and write down what you notice. That information is worth its weight in gold when the moment comes.

8. Use your head

Mental strength is a vast and extremely important topic, and perhaps the hardest quality to develop through training. Over the years, Waldner developed a way of thinking and acting that he believes fits his personality. For him, the starting point has to be yourself.

Mental strength is based on experience and accumulated knowledge about your sport. Listen to the advice of people you trust, but remember that, in the final analysis, you have to trust your own judgment.

When he was younger, Waldner studied great Swedish athletes in detail, such as Björn Borg (tennis) and Ingemar Stenmark (alpine skiing), and was impressed by their calm during competitions. Over time, he learned to analyze his losses and forget them as quickly as possible. On the other hand, he carries the memories of his victories with him to strengthen his self-confidence.

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There is no universal formula for the mind, but there is practice. Working on the mental side is as legitimate as working on your backhand. Meditation, visualization, talking with a good coach or sports psychologist: all of it counts.

9. Be respectful

A table tennis match is decided in a short time, and underestimating your opponent can be costly. It is essential to accept defeats with grace and show respect for your opponent. Waldner’s strategy, regardless of the result, was always to keep a low profile.

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Respect, at the table and away from it, is a trademark of the greats of the sport. It is no accident that Waldner is revered all over the world not only for his talent, but for the way he always carried himself. That is a lesson too.

10. Think long term

To conclude, Waldner stresses that becoming a good table tennis player takes a long time. There will always be new things to learn. Try to think long term and avoid focusing too much on results while you are still young.

If you aspire to compete with the best, you will have to walk a narrow path. Only a large volume of training, and hard training, will get you to your goal. This principle applies just as much to training at the table as to physical conditioning.

But do not forget, every now and then, to have fun and experiment a little. Eventually, you will discover something that will be useful in competitive play.

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This is perhaps the hardest tip to follow in the age of social media, where everything seems instant. But champions are built over years, not weeks. Trust the process.

Conclusion

Ten pieces of advice from one of the greatest geniuses our sport has ever produced. What stands out most is that Waldner does not talk only about technique: he talks about mindset, process, respect and curiosity. These are lessons that work for players at any level, from the beginner to the experienced competitor.

At 360TT, we believe exactly that: that development in table tennis goes far beyond hitting the ball. It is a path of self-knowledge, dedication and love for the game.

Now I want to hear from you: which of these tips best fits where you are right now in the sport? Tell us in the comments, we love learning from our community!

Sun Yingsha: Character Matters More Than Victory (The World Cup Gesture)

Sat, 06 Dec 2025 17:20:00 -0300

In table tennis, we often get lost in technical analysis: the speed of the forehand, the precision of the backhand, the spin on the serve. China, with its overwhelming dominance, is the gold standard of that technical excellence. But recently, the world number 1, Sun Yingsha, reminded us that an athlete’s true greatness goes far beyond the scoreboard.

During the 2025 ITTF Mixed Team World Cup, in Chengdu, she was at the center of a moment that has already gone down in the history of fair play, proving that her sportsmanship is as flawless as her game.

The gesture that silenced the arena (and won over the world)

The scene was one of high tension: a decisive match against Germany. During a hard-fought point against Nina Mittelham, that classic situation every table tennis player knows came up: the doubt about the “let” (the ball touching the net) on the serve.

The video review system (TTR) was called in. In the footage shown on the big screen, it was clear that the ball had touched the net. But, through a startling failure of communication or interpretation, the officials made the wrong call: they validated the serve and awarded the point to Sun Yingsha.

At that moment, 99% of professional athletes would have accepted the “gift”. After all, the official decision had already gone in their favor. But Sun Yingsha did the unexpected. Even with the point secured by the umpire, she refused to win through a mistake.

With absolute integrity, she voluntarily corrected the officials, signaling that the ball had indeed touched the net and that the point should be replayed. She turned down the unfair advantage and put the truth of the game first.

That gesture resonated around the world. In an environment of absurd pressure like the Chinese National Team (‘Guo Ping’), having the mental clarity to correct an official error against yourself is the ultimate proof of character. As the international media pointed out: “what makes her respected is not just the number of titles, but her exemplary conduct”.

Nobility recognized: athlete of the year

It is no coincidence that, right after showing such class, Sun Yingsha received another huge recognition away from the tables. She was the only Chinese athlete nominated for the prestigious 2025 Female Athlete of the Year award by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS).

That nomination places her alongside the greatest legends of every sport. It crowns a season in which Sun Yingsha not only achieved the “double Grand Slam” (winning everything in singles and doubles), but also earned the unanimous respect of opponents and fans.

The 360TT lesson

For those of us who live table tennis, the lesson is clear. Our sport is fast and aggressive, but above all it is a game of honor and gentlemanly conduct. Sun Yingsha’s attitude teaches us that winning is important, but how you win defines who you are.

If the world number 1 was able to correct an umpire so she would not win an unfair point, we can also bring that spirit of honesty to our training sessions and club tournaments.

Sun Yingsha proved that it is possible to be the best in the world and, at the same time, the most noble.

Now I want to hear from you: would you have the courage to give back a point the umpire has already given you? Tell us in the comments!

Ma Long's Lesson!

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 21:01:00 -0300

In table tennis, the greatest hero of all time, Ma Long, did not use the same “weapon” his whole life. The story of his blades is the story of his evolution as an athlete. Many players, especially beginners and intermediates, look for the “perfect blade”, believing they will find one model that will serve them forever. Ma Long’s career teaches exactly the opposite: choosing a blade should be a journey, a process that follows and boosts the player’s technical development.

Chapter 1: the start with a pure wood blade (2011-2013)

The story: At the beginning of his domination on the world stage, Ma Long played with pure wood rackets, with no synthetic fibers. Models like the Hurricane Long 2 and, above all, the Hurricane Long 3 (7 plies of pure wood) were his choices. It was with a pure wood racket that he played the 2013 World Championships in Paris, a period marked by sublime control, extreme spin and unmatched ball feel.

🤓 360TT technical view

Ma Long, the master, started with the foundation. And that is the lesson for everyone: starting with a pure wood racket (no fiber) is essential. This is the stage where you develop correct technique, ball touch and reading of the game. A blade without carbon fibers “forgives” mistakes less and therefore forces the athlete to refine the fundamentals. It is the foundation of a great player.

Chapter 2: the great turn to carbon (2013-2014)

The story: In 2014, the sport went through a drastic change: the introduction of the 40+ plastic ball. Slower and with less spin, the new ball required athletes to generate more power on their own. Ma Long, always a strategist, realized he needed a new tool. That is when he made the transition to the legendary Hurricane Long 5 (HL5). This blade represented a technological leap, with a structure of 5 plies of wood and 2 inner plies of Arylate-Carbon (5+2 AC). He started using it back in 2013, when he won the Chinese National Championship, and from 2014 on it became his inseparable partner.

🤓 360TT technical view

This is the crucial moment in a player’s journey. When technique is solid and strokes are consistent, but speed is missing to close out points, it is time to consider a blade with fiber. Ma Long’s HL5 is the perfect example of an intelligent transition: the carbon is placed internally, next to the core. This adds speed and power but keeps a high degree of control and feel, making it the ideal step for anyone coming from a pure wood racket.

Chapter 3: the golden era of the Grand Slam (2015-2021)

The story: With the Hurricane Long 5 in his hands, Ma Long became a force of nature. It became his “champion blade”. In 2015, using the HL5 and Hurricane 3 rubbers on both sides, he won the World Championships, the World Cup and the World Tour Finals. The peak came at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, when he used the same setup to become the only man in history to win the Double Grand Slam (two-time Olympic, World and World Cup champion). The feat was so monumental that DHS released a commemorative edition, the Gold Slam Hurricane Long 5.

🤓 360TT technical view

Reaching your maximum potential is not about having the fastest blade from day one. It is about having the right blade at the right moment of your development. Ma Long’s most victorious phase came after he made a strategic equipment change, aligning his new blade with the maturity of his game and the new demands of the sport. That proves that proper equipment progression is a key to unlocking your best table tennis.

The 360TT expert analysis

The story does not stop. Even at the top, Ma Long and DHS kept innovating, with versions like the Hurricane Long 5X, which uses a thicker-core technology to adapt even better to the 40+ ball.

The lesson from Ma Long’s journey is clear. Don’t look for the “best blade in the world”; look for the “best blade for you, right now”. Think of your career as chapters. Start with a pure wood racket to build your fundamentals. When your game evolves and asks for more speed, make a controlled transition to a blade with inner carbon. Your blade is not a static piece; it is your partner in evolution.

Ready to find the next step in your evolution? At 360TT you will find everything from classic 5-ply blades to modern ones with Arylate-Carbon. Start writing your own story.

Now I want to hear from you: which blade do you play with today, and which chapter of your evolution do you think you are in? Tell me in the comments.

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