Here’s my top 7 picks for the best female and male players in the world right now. We’ll dive deep into each player’s career, accolades, play styles, and even some fun facts. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Best Female Players
1. Ding Ning (China)
Born: June 20, 1990 Height: 5’7″ (170 cm) Ding Ning, the “Queen of Hearts,” is a legendary left-handed Chinese table tennis player.
She is known for her incredible speed, agility, and powerful forehand loops.
Ding Ning has claimed numerous titles, including two Olympic gold medals (2012, 2016) and three World Championship titles (2011, 2015, 2017).
She’s also a four-time ITTF World Cup champion.
Ding Ning’s playing style is versatile, and she can switch between aggressive and defensive tactics.
Her unique serve, the “tomahawk,” is one of her strongest weapons, often catching opponents off-guard. Ding Ning’s sportsmanship and resilience have inspired many young players, making her a true icon in the world of table tennis.
2. Liu Shiwen (China)
Born: April 12, 1991 Height: 5’4″ (162 cm) Hailing from China, Liu Shiwen is another top-notch female table tennis player.
She’s right-handed and is famous for her quick footwork, impressive backhand, and extraordinary reaction time.
Liu has won multiple championships, including the 2019 World Championship and five ITTF World Cup titles. Liu Shiwen’s playing style is aggressive, focusing on fast-paced rallies and close-to-table attacks.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she demonstrated her versatility by winning a gold medal in the mixed doubles event. Liu Shiwen’s consistency and determination make her a formidable opponent on the table tennis scene.
3. Mima Ito (Japan)
Born: October 21, 2000 Height: 5’1″ (155 cm) Mima Ito is a young and talented Japanese table tennis star.
She’s a right-handed player known for her aggressive play, powerful forehand flicks, and precise backhand strokes.
Ito made history by becoming the youngest ever winner of an ITTF World Tour event at the age of 14.
Ito has already collected an impressive array of titles, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics women’s team silver medal and the 2018 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals.
Her unique play style focuses on speed and placement, which often outsmarts her opponents.
Mima Ito’s impressive achievements at such a young age make her a formidable force in the world of table tennis.
4. Chen Meng (China)
Born: January 15, 1994 Height: 5’8″ (173 cm) Chen Meng is a right-handed Chinese table tennis player who has consistently ranked among the world’s top female players.
She’s known for her strong forehand loops, excellent footwork, and unwavering focus during matches. Chen Meng’s list of accomplishments includes the 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medal and the 2019 World Championship silver medal. Chen Meng’s playing style is characterised by aggressive close-to-table attacks and powerful strokes.
She’s a three-time ITTF World Cup champion and has dominated the ITTF World Tour, winning several singles titles. Her consistency and drive make her a true competitor in the world of table tennis.
5. Kasumi Ishikawa (Japan)
Born: February 23, 1993 Height: 5’5″ (165 cm) Kasumi Ishikawa is a left-handed Japanese table tennis player, known for her smooth, fluid playing style and exceptional accuracy.
She has earned numerous accolades, including a silver medal in the women’s team event at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, and a bronze medal in the same event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Ishikawa’s playing style emphasises consistent spin and placement, making it difficult for opponents to predict her shots.
She’s a four-time ITTF World Tour singles champion and has maintained a strong presence in the table tennis world for over a decade. Kasumi Ishikawa’s dedication and finesse make her a beloved player among fans.
6. Sun Yingsha (China)
Born: November 4, 2000 Height: 5’6″ (168 cm) Sun Yingsha is an up-and-coming right-handed Chinese table tennis prodigy.
She’s known for her aggressive play style, impressive speed, and powerful forehand and backhand strokes. Despite her young age, Sun Yingsha has already made a name for herself, winning the 2017 ITTF World Tour Japan Open and securing a gold medal in the women’s team event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Sun Yingsha’s playing style is characterised by her ability to generate powerful topspin on the ball, putting her opponents under immense pressure.
She’s quickly becoming one of the leading players in the table tennis world, and her potential for growth is vast. Keep an eye on Sun Yingsha as she continues to make waves in the sport.
7. Feng Tianwei (Singapore)
Born: August 31, 1986 Height: 5’6″ (168 cm) Feng Tianwei is a right-handed Singaporean table tennis player and one of the most successful non-Chinese players in the sport’s history.
She’s best known for her strong forehand and backhand loops, as well as her ability to adapt to various playing styles.
Feng has won numerous titles, including a team silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a bronze medal in the singles event at the 2012 London Olympics. Feng Tianwei’s playing style focuses on consistency, placement, and the use of well-timed attacks to throw her opponents off balance.
She’s a three-time ITTF World Tour singles champion and has inspired many Singaporean table tennis players with her achievements. Feng Tianwei’s experience and adaptability make her a formidable player on the international stage.
Best Male Players
1. Ma Long (China)
Born: October 20, 1988 Height: 5’9″ (175 cm) Ma Long, often referred to as the “Dragon,” is a right-handed Chinese table tennis player and arguably one of the greatest of all time.
He’s famous for his powerful forehand loops, incredible footwork, and unrivalled consistency.
Ma Long’s achievements include two Olympic gold medals (2016, 2020) and three World Championship titles (2015, 2017, 2019).
Ma Long’s playing style combines speed, power, and precision, making him a fearsome opponent. He has an uncanny ability to read his opponents and adapt his tactics accordingly.
Ma Long’s dominance in the table tennis world has earned him a well-deserved reputation as one of the best players in history.
2. Fan Zhendong (China)
Born: January 22, 1997 Height: 5’8″ (173 cm) Fan Zhendong is a young and exceptionally talented right-handed Chinese table tennis player.
Known for his explosive speed, powerful backhand, and incredible forehand flicks, Fan has quickly risen through the ranks to become one of the world’s top players.
His impressive list of titles includes the 2019 ITTF World Cup and the 2021 World Table Tennis Championships.
Fan Zhendong’s playing style is aggressive and fast-paced, focusing on close-to-table attacks that overwhelm his opponents firing quick shots from his bat. He has also displayed a high level of adaptability, enabling him to triumph over a wide range of playing styles.
Fan Zhendong’s meteoric rise and undeniable skill make him a player to watch in the coming years.
3. Xu Xin (China)
Born: January 8, 1990 Height: 6’1″ (185 cm) Xu Xin, also known as the “Cloud Walker,” is a left-handed Chinese table tennis player who has consistently ranked among the world’s top male players.
He’s renowned for his unique penhold grip, extraordinary reach, and deceptive spin. Xu Xin’s list of accomplishments includes the 2013 and 2015 ITTF World Cup titles and multiple World Championship medals.
Xu Xin’s playing style is characterised by his exceptional spin variation and ability to cover the entire table with his long reach.
He’s a master of the penhold style, which allows him to generate incredible spin and catch his opponents off-guard. Xu Xin’s combination of flair, creativity, and technical prowess make him a fan favourite in the table tennis world.
4. Timo Boll (Germany)
Born: March 8, 1981 Height: 5’11” (180 cm) Timo Boll is a left-handed German table tennis player who has remained a prominent figure in the sport for over two decades.
He’s best known for his smooth, fluid playing style and impressive topspin on both forehand and backhand strokes.
Boll has won numerous titles throughout his career, including six European Championship gold medals and a World Cup title in 2002.
Timo Boll’s playing style emphasises consistency, spin, and placement, making it difficult for opponents to predict his shots.
He’s renowned for his sportsmanship and dedication to the sport, earning him respect from both fans and competitors.
Timo Boll’s long and successful career serves as a testament to his skill and passion for table tennis.
5. Tomokazu Harimoto (Japan)
Born: June 27, 2003 Height: 5’6″ (168 cm) Tomokazu Harimoto is a right-handed Japanese table tennis prodigy who has taken the sport by storm.
He’s known for his aggressive play, powerful forehand loops, and intense focus during matches.
Harimoto made history as the youngest ever winner of an ITTF World Tour men’s singles title at the age of 14. Harimoto’s playing style focuses on speed, power, and relentless attacking.
Despite his young age, he has already amassed an impressive list of achievements, including the 2018 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics mixed doubles bronze medal. Tomokazu Harimoto’s potential for growth and his fierce determination make him a future star in the world of table tennis.
6. Lin Yun-Ju (Chinese Taipei)
Born: August 17, 2001 Height: 5’9″ (175 cm) Lin Yun-Ju, also known as the “Silent Assassin,” is a left-handed table tennis player from Chinese Taipei.
He’s renowned for his quick reflexes, deceptive spin, and powerful backhand strokes. Lin Yun-Ju has already made a name for himself, winning the 2019 ITTF World Tour Czech Open and the 2021 WTT Contender Doha singles titles.
Lin Yun-Ju’s playing style is characterised by his ability to generate powerful topspin on both wings and his tactical intelligence.
His calm demeanour and adaptability enable him to outsmart his opponents and excel under pressure. As one of the rising stars in table tennis, Lin Yun-Ju has the potential to challenge the dominance of the traditional powerhouses in the sport.
7. Dimitrij Ovtcharov (Germany)
Born: September 2, 1988 Height: 6’0″ (183 cm) Dimitrij Ovtcharov, affectionately known as “Dima,” is a right-handed German table tennis player of Ukrainian origin.
He’s known for his aggressive play style, powerful forehand loops, and extraordinary backhand punch shots. Ovtcharov has won multiple titles throughout his career, including the 2017 World Cup, four European Championship gold medals, and an Olympic bronze medal in singles at the 2012 London Olympics. Ovtcharov’s playing style emphasises power, speed, and close-to-table attacks.
His unique backhand punch shot, also known as the “banana flick,” is one of his most effective weapons, often catching opponents off-guard. Dimitrij Ovtcharov’s relentless aggression and passion for the sport make him an exciting player to watch and a formidable force in the table tennis world.
Conclusion
There you have it – the ultimate guide to the 7 best female and male table tennis players in the world! Each player on this list has achieved remarkable success and inspired countless fans with their skill, dedication, and passion for the sport. Remember, table tennis is an ever-evolving sport, and new talents are always emerging. Keep an eye on these amazing players and stay tuned for more exciting developments in the world of table tennis!
