The Top 10 Best Men's Table Tennis Players of All Time

By Jayson Panganiban August 01, 2024 09:10

Photo by Imaginechina

Ping Pong, or table tennis, as it is better known, is a sport that requires both speed and precision. Since then, players have come and gone, leaving us with memories of the best moments of brilliance on the table. This post explores history's top 10 male table tennis players, listing their accomplishments and unique ways they have contributed to this sport.

1. Ma Long

Full Name: Ma Long
Nationality: China
Years Active: 2003 - Present
Olympic Medals: 2 Gold (2016,2020)
World Championships: three-time (2015, 2017, and 2019)
Six by ITTF Finals Pro Tour

Playing Style and Impact:

He is commonly considered the best table tennis player of all time. He has powerful forehand loops, and his overall footwork enables him to play quickly. That mental resilience and durability under pressure has, in turn, enabled him to stay within the world's top three for 58 months since his first elevation to number one.

2. Jan-Ove Waldner

Full Name: Jan-Ove Waldner
Nationality: Sweden
Years Active: 1982 - 2016
Olympic Medals: 1 (Gold, 1992; Silver)
World Championships: 11 medals with two Gold awards (1989,1997)

Playing Style and Impact:

Nicknamed the "Evergreen Tree," Waldner's style of play is a complex mix of finesse and high tactical aptitude. His control over the game and ability to hit accurate shots made him a tough competition. His longevity in the sport and his results against top players from several countries help him secure his legendary position.

3. Zhang Jike

Full Name: Zhang Jike
Nationality: China
Years Active: 2006 - Present
Olympic Medals: Gold (2012); Silver (2016)
By Amber The World Champion (2011, 2013 & 2015)

Playing Style and Impact:

Zhang Jike is also celebrated for his explosive speed and attacking game. It took Jike only 445 days to complete a grand slam Olympic and World Champions, highlighting the immense degree of his talent.

4. Fan Zhendong

Full Name: Fan Zhendong
Nationality: China
Years Active: 2012 - Present
World Championships 1 Title (2019)
ITTF World Cup: 1 (2016)
Numerous World Tour Titles

Playing Style and Impact:

Fan Zhendong is best known for his legendary efficiency and adaptability on the table. Those traits, along with a running forehand and quick hands that give him countless options at the net, make Fan so difficult to beat.

5. Timo Boll

Full Name: Timo Boll
Nationality: Germany
Years Active: 2001 - Present
Europa: 4-time champion
World Cup: Champion (2002)
Career: 1 Bronze Medal - Beijing 2008

Playing Style and Impact:

Timo Boll is known for his graceful play and for playing like a clock. He competed at the highest level for over twenty years and became a symbol of European table tennis. He has been the face of table tennis in Germany and Europe for years, motivating aspiring players to pursue their careers.

6. Wang Hao

Full Name: Wang Hao
Nationality: China
Years Active: 2001 - 2015
Olympic medals: 2 Golds (2008,2012), Silver (2004)
World Championships: Three-time champion (2009, 2011, 2013)

Playing Style and Impact:

Wang Hao, the wily tactician and tough competitor at his best on match-day. His grip is shaken, and he has a powerful backhand. His legacy in the sport also includes coaching younger players and boosting table tennis popularity back home.

7. Wang Liqin

Full Name: Wang Liqin
Nationality: China
Years Active: 1997 - 2010
Olympic Medals: 1 Gold (2000), 1 Bronze (2004)
CHAS: 3x Champion (2001), Ind.

Playing Style and Impact:

Wang Liqin was one of the best penholders ever, and with his shakehand style and offensive topspin that made him almost unbeatable. He shares his skill in ball spinning with better pace control, which separates him from competitors.

8. Ichiro Ogimura

Full Name: Ichiro Ogimura
Nationality: Japan
Years Active: 1952 - 1966
Grand Slam Tournaments: 2 singles titles; Total Championships: 12
Hall of Fame: 1997, ITTF

Playing Style and Impact:

Ogimura brought a strategic mind and the weapon of adaptability to Japanese table tennis. His singles and doubles successes have made Japan a force in the sport.

9. Kong Linghui

Full Name: Kong Linghui
Nationality: China
Years Active: 1993 - 2006
Olympic Medals: 2 Gold (1996, 2000), Silver(2004)

Playing Style and Impact:

Kong Linghui is often considered a versatile player because he can play offensive and defensive table tennis games. He was a versatile player who could adjust his strategy according to the opponent at the time.

10. Xu Xin

Full Name: Xu Xin
Nationality: China
Years Active: 2003 - Present
World Championships: 1 Gold (2013), Silver (2015)
ITTF World Cup; 1 (2019)

Playing Style and Impact:

Among his contributions to the sport include helping spread the popularity of the pen hold grip in Korea as a younger player and showing its ultimate effectiveness at high-level competition.

These legends not only achieved so much in their careers but also inspired numerous fans and future players, from Ma Long's dominance to Jan-Ove Waldner's timeless brilliance. The legacy of these legends will echo through generations in the ever-growing sport of table tennis.