Legends of Table Tennis: The 7 Greatest Table Tennis Players of All-Time
The Greatest Table Tennis Players of All-Time
Table tennis is full of incredible athletes, each one pushing themselves to rank best in the world.
But who are the greatest table tennis players of all-time? Read on for the latest career stats, facts and figures about these table tennis icons!
Deng Yaping winning gold at Atlanta 1996
Table tennis, a sport that has won the hearts of millions, started to become popular in the early 1900s - and it’s now one of the most popular sports in China.
In 1926, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) was established to regulate and monitor records, adding an official touch to the game.
Table tennis reached a significant milestone in 1988 when it was officially recognised as an Olympic sport. Since then, it has become one of the most beloved indoor sports across the globe.
This sport's appeal transcends borders; it's a favourite at parties, in schools and among diverse communities.
Notably, Asians have a deep-rooted affection for table tennis, and it's no wonder considering their remarkable dominance in the sport. Following close behind are players from Germany, as well as various other corners of the world.
So, let’s dive into the world of table tennis, exploring the stories of the greatest players who have left an indelible mark on the sport's history.
How did these players find their way into this exciting game? And what makes them so great? Let's find out!
1. Ma Long
He reached the finals of 11 ITTF World Tour tournaments
He secured Olympic gold in men's singles twice (2016 and 2020)
He ranked World No.1 for 64 consecutive months
Topping our list of the greatest table tennis players of all-time is Ma Long, hailing from China and known as "The Dictator" and "The Dragon.” These nicknames were given to him by the ITTF, drawing inspiration from his name, Lóng, which represents the zodiac year of his birth.
Ma Long's journey to greatness began with victories in both the Asian and World Junior Championships. At the astonishing age of 17, he became the youngest table tennis world champion after participating in the 2006 Bremen World Team Championship.
His remarkable skills were nurtured under the guidance of Wang Hao and former Chinese National Team coach Ma Kai Xuan, followed by mentorship from Qin Zhijian.
Before turning 22, Ma Long achieved remarkable success in singles, reaching the finals of 11 ITTF World Tour tournaments, emerging victorious in eight of them.
He also secured wins in the Asian Cup and World Tour Grand Finals twice, adding to his growing list of accolades.
Ma Long is currently ranked as the World’s No. 3 player, but his legacy in the sport is nothing short of extraordinary.
He's achieved the remarkable feat of winning every conceivable title in table tennis, and he held the prestigious World No. 1 ranking for an astonishing 64 consecutive months, a record unmatched by any male player in the history of the sport.
Ma Long also stands as the first and only male player to achieve a career Double Grand Slam, securing Olympic gold in men's singles not once, but twice, in 2016 and 2020.
Ma Long boasts an impressive collection of Olympic and World Championship titles, including:
Three Olympic gold medals (one in 2016 and two in 2020)
Three World Championship singles titles (2015, 2017 and 2019)
Two World Championship doubles titles (2011 and 2019)
His dominance extends to the ITTF World Tour, where he's clinched a staggering 28 titles, including an impressive run of five consecutive victories.
He's a three-time Asian Champion, a two-time China National Champion and he’s earned a reputation as the best Chinese table tennis player.
So, it’s no wonder Ma Long stands as a table tennis icon of unparalleled success and skill.
Since 2014, Ma Long has been captain of the Chinese national table tennis men's team, solidifying his role as a leader in the sport.
2. Liu Guoliang
The second man to accomplish a career Grand Slam
He won the men’s singles at the 1996 Table Tennis World Cup
He was appointed head coach of China’s National Men’s Team
Liu Guoliang is a Chinese table tennis legend, renowned as both a player and coach.
He achieved the remarkable feat of winning major titles in all prominent table tennis tournaments, including the Olympics, World Championships and World Cup.
Liu is the second man ever to accomplish a career Grand Slam, securing victories in Olympic Gold, the World Cup and the World Championships.
During his playing career, Liu Guoliang stood atop the podium with two gold medals at the 1996 Summer Olympics in the men's singles and men's doubles, alongside Kong Linghui.
He further solidified his dominance by winning the men's singles at the 1996 World Cup, the World Doubles Championships in 1997 and 1999 with Kong Linghui, and the 1999 World Singles Championships.
Following his retirement after the 2001 season, Liu transitioned into coaching and was appointed head coach of China's national men’s team at the young age of 27.
As a coach, his achievements were extraordinary, including a team gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics and remarkable medal sweeps by players such as Ma Lin, Wang Hao and Wang Liqin.
Under his guidance, China continued its dominance in table tennis, winning gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics and a series of men's singles teams championships in the World Table Tennis Championships from 2001 to 2018.
His influence in the sport reached its zenith when he was elected President of the Chinese Table Tennis Association on December 1, 2018, succeeding Cai Zhenhua.
Liu Guoliang's legacy in table tennis remains a testament to his exceptional career and coaching excellence.
3. Deng Yaping
She held the World No.1 ranking for eight consecutive years
She won her first women’s doubles World Championship title in 1989
She earned gold medals in singles and doubles at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics
Deng Yaping, a true inspiration to aspiring female table tennis players, achieved unparalleled success in the sport. Her remarkable career saw her hold the prestigious World No. 1 ranking for an astonishing eight consecutive years.
At the time of her retirement, Yaping had secured the highest number of titles, surpassing both men and women.
Her excellence on the table tennis court earned her multiple World Championships and the coveted title of China's Sportsman of the Century.
Yaping’s journey wasn't without obstacles, though. Despite her prodigious talent, her short stature initially led to her being denied a spot on the national team.
However, her determination prevailed, and in 1988, she finally earned her place on the team.
Her partnership with Qiao Hong resulted in her first World Championship title in women's doubles in 1989, followed by her first singles World Championship in 1991.
The Olympics became another arena for Yaping’s success. She secured gold medals in both singles and doubles at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and repeated the feat at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Her dominance extended to the world stage with singles and doubles titles at the 1995 and 1997 World Championships. Retiring at the age of 24, Deng Yaping's legacy was unparalleled in the sport.
Deng Yaping boasted:
Four Olympic gold medals
18 World Championships
An eight-year reign as the World No. 1 ranked female table tennis player
Her extraordinary achievements also led to her being voted as China's Female Athlete of the Century and her induction into the ITTF Hall of Fame in 2003.
Even in retirement, Yaping remained closely connected to Chinese table tennis, frequently engaging with the media and serving as a colour commentator for events like the Women's Table Tennis World Cup in 2020.
4. Wang Liqin
He held the World No.1 ranking for 25 consecutive months (2000-2002)
He earned a gold medal in doubles at the 2000 Olympics
He won his first World Championship title in 2001
Wang Liqin's table tennis journey began at the astonishingly young age of 15 when he joined the Chinese men’s national team.
His career is nothing short of exceptional, marked by numerous achievements.
He held the prestigious World No. 1 ranking for an impressive 25 consecutive months from September 2000 to September 2002, making him one of the top players in the sport during that era.
Wang Liqin's dominance extended to major world tournaments, where he clinched titles at the World Championships and the Olympic Games.
He secured:
A gold medal in doubles at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney
Bronze medals in singles at both the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing
A gold medal in the team competition at the 2008 Summer Olympics, alongside Ma Lin and Wang Hao
His first World Championship victory came in Osaka, Japan in 2001, followed by two more World Championships at the 48th WTTC in Shanghai, China in 2005, and the 49th WTTC in Zagreb, Croatia in 2007.
Wang Liqin's prowess on the international stage is evident from his 12 World Cup and Olympic medals and his 21 Pro Tour victories, as well as 23 men’s doubles Pro Tour wins.
After retiring from competitive play, this table tennis icon transitioned into coaching, becoming one of the most successful coaches for the Shanghai team in the Chinese Super League.
5. Ichiro Ogimura
He started playing table tennis in 1948
He brought North and South Korea together in the 1991 World Table Tennis Championships
He earned a place in the ITTF Hall of Fame in 1997
Ichiro Ogimura is celebrated as one of the greatest table tennis players of all-time, boasting an impressive record of 12 World Championship titles and three English Open titles.
His table tennis journey began in 1948 when he started playing as a student, and he swiftly rose to prominence in the sport.
One of his lasting contributions to the sport was the "Fifty-One Percent Doctrine," which encouraged an aggressive playing style, influencing future world champions.
Ichiro Ogimura's legacy transcends his remarkable playing career, cementing his status as a table tennis icon.
Beyond his remarkable playing career, Ogimura made significant contributions to table tennis diplomacy. He played a pivotal role in bringing China back into international competition and was instrumental in the unity of North and South Korea for the 1991 World Table Tennis Championships.
Following his retirement, Ogimura became a coach, sharing his expertise in Sweden, China and the USA.
His commitment to the sport extended to leadership roles within the Japanese Olympic Committee and the Japan Table Tennis Association.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Ogimura earned a place in the ITTF Hall of Fame in 1997.
6. Jan-Ove Waldner
He started playing table tennis at age 16
He earned a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics
European Championship and World Championship titles
Jan-Ove Waldner is undoubtedly one of the greatest non-Chinese table tennis players in history.
Often hailed as the "Mozart of Table Tennis" and affectionately known as "Lǎo Wǎ" (Old Waldner) in China, Waldner’s remarkable journey in the sport began at the age of 16. From there, he embarked on a storied career filled with accolades.
Waldner's list of achievements is nothing short of astounding. He claimed titles at the European Championships, Swedish Championships and the World Championships.
But what truly set him apart was when he became one of only five players to achieve a career grand slam, a feat that encompasses victory in the World Championship and World Cup.
His crowning moment came at the 1992 Summer Olympics, where he made history as the first and, to this day, the only player not from China, Japan or South Korea to seize an Olympic table tennis title.
Waldner's mastery of the sport earned him recognition not only in Sweden but also in China, where he was more famous than then-U.S. President Bill Clinton during the 1990s.
With a reputation for being the most technically complete player ever, and unparalleled longevity in the sport, he earned the moniker "the evergreen tree" in Mandarin.
Waldner's impact extended beyond his playing days; he later became involved in various clubs and teams, contributing his wisdom and expertise to the sport he cherished.
As he retired from international elite-level competition at the age of 46, Waldner left an indelible mark on the world of table tennis.
His legacy continues as he remains a beloved figure among fans and players alike, forever celebrated as a true legend of the sport.
7. Xu Xin
He is currently ranked World No. 2 in men’s singles by the ITTF
17 World Singles titles
He earned a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Xu Xin, the renowned Chinese table tennis maestro, has solidified his position as one of the world's best, currently ranked World No. 2 in men’s singles by the ITTF.
His illustrious career is adorned with remarkable feats, boasting an astonishing 17 World Singles titles, alongside three men’s doubles titles and two mixed doubles titles.
Representing China and the Shanghai Zhongxing club, Xu Xin soared to the pinnacle of his career when he claimed the coveted World No. 1 ranking in January 2013, a position he held with great distinction.
He played a pivotal role in securing the men's team gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, partnering with Ma Long to achieve this extraordinary victory.
Xu Xin's journey has been a rollercoaster of triumphs and challenges.
In 2016, he displayed his prowess by defeating the World No. 1 and reigning World Champion, Ma Long, in a gripping semi-final match at the Japan Open. However, he ultimately fell short in the finals against World No. 2 Fan Zhendong.
Nonetheless, he bounced back to win the Korea Open, besting Ma Long once again in a thrilling final.
Xu Xin's remarkable journey through the world of table tennis continued in subsequent years, marked by a series of impressive victories and historic moments.
His exceptional performance at the 2019 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships showcased his tenacity, as he advanced to the quarterfinals in both men's singles and mixed doubles, ultimately securing victory in the mixed doubles event.
The year 2019 is also when we witnessed Xu Xin achieving a rare "triple crown" at the Japan Open, winning titles in singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles.
His captivating performance in the men's singles final against Lin Yun-ju marked a triumphant return to the World No. 1 ranking, displacing Fan Zhendong, who had held the position for over a year.
Xu Xin's journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication, versatility and ability to conquer the most formidable opponents.
His unique playing style and incredible achievements have earned him a slew of nicknames, including "XUperman," "the Showman” and "the Cloudwalker.”
Notably, Xu Xin is among just a few players in China who employ the pen hold grip, a distinctive style that adds to his allure as a player.
His excellence on the global stage is further highlighted by the silver medal he earned alongside Liu Shiwen in the mixed doubles event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Throughout his career, Xu Xin has consistently delivered outstanding performances, amassing numerous medals in international competitions.
These Are The Greatest Table Tennis Players of All-Time
These players are la crème de la crème of the sport, and our numbers aren’t an indication of the level of their greatness in the world of table tennis. They are all professionals who, in their own unique way, have left permanent marks on the history of table tennis as a sport.
There are plenty of other big names in the world of table tennis. Will Bayley and Guo Yue deserve honourable mentions. We can’t wait to see what the future of table tennis brings!
Tell us your favourite table tennis icon in the comments!
