Fans are disappointed after two biggest stars of the table tennis industry gave the biggest shock of their career. China’s table tennis players cum Olympic champions Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng have backed out names from the world rankings. The decision came into effect after the World Table Tennis (WTT) Organization imposed new rules to maintain its credibility in the industry to ensure that only the best are a part of it.
According to the rule, WTT will now impose a fine on the non-participating players, ensuring that they don’t back out from the event. Featuring some of the top players in participation, the new rule comes as a clever idea to not lose out on its reputation and popularity gained for years. This, however, comes as a big setback for the athletes carrying concerns and doubts over their participation coming this time.
WTT rule not fair for athletes
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For athletes, there is no room for doubt here. The WTT new rule has given athletes an imposed situation not of choice specifically for the ones who were not interested in participating this year. Be it reasons of injury or being busy with any other important event in the schedule, it doesn’t matter; you have to join as long as you have been part of the event. The WTT rules do not come out as a fair stand to be used against players.
French table tennis player Simon Gauzy, speaking on the matter, took a wit on the new rule while supporting Fan and Chen. Her recent comment stated, “Statement not accepted. Telling the facts without any changes is what you are doing. We are losing icons of our sport because of those rules. You can’t ignore the fact that this is not helping the players. It’s time for a REAL change.” As part of WTT, these rules and statements do not come as new but have existed for a long time. These rules have been a part since the establishment of World Table Tennis.
However, these legalities against the non-participants come as a questioning factor with no salary involved. These imposed fines on athletes are now raising questions on the rule’s credibility and how WTT upholds the decision on the rules.
Fans are disturbed by the new rule
With athletes facing concern over the fine, fans are coming out with their respective positive as well as negative views on the matter. Stating the new rule as a clever tactic by the WTT organization, a fan comments on how the event can’t make the players pay the fine. “I don’t think they can make a player pay something, but they can withhold the fine from your future winnings probably.” In reality, even WTT knows that it’s impossible to gain fines from such new rules. However, they can get hold of a player’s future profits made.
Another fan gives out a similar comment on the matter. “They don’t have a legal contract with any of the players, so the max they can do is to withhold prizes if a player who skipped an event wins another event.” The WTT organization does not make any official deal of any sort with the participating players in the event, so if a player fails to pay the fine, they can get hold of their next winning title.
WTT sponsors come majorly from China and it’s their support that builds WTT’s commercial aspect. Stating on why the rules and fines come in parity for the participants, a fan comments, “WTT is a commercial brand and society, there are contracts to play within it and as every contract there could be a lot of rules and fines.” Driven by some of the top players of the table tennis industry, these imposed fines will, however, keep them a part of the event.
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Coming out in support for athletes, a fan comes with their mention on how these imposed contracts can be enforced but not forced. “They probably can enforce it by a signed contract. They can’t force you to sign the contract though. For many players, it’s a net negative to play the WTT. Adding fines on top means not playing WTT is the better choice for many players. My impression is that WTT acts from the perspective of a position they don’t have (but think they have).” With no salaries given, it’s just the winner who takes away the prize money. So for participants, their non-participation comes into respect against the imposed fines.
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International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), a governing body of WTT, with their new rule has lost out on its credibility with star players parting ways from the event. Speaking on this concern, a fan states how WTT and its governing body are facing a problematic situation like this. “Problem in WTT and ITTF connection. Otherwise, another league will take FZD and CM for their events.” WTT has lost out its crucial players Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng and they now come under the surveillance of other major leagues.
A double medalist in the 2014 Youth Olympics, with three consecutive World Cups achieved in 2020 along with his singles silver and team gold at the Tokyo Olympics the same year and the Paris Olympics gold medal recent win, Fan Zhendong’s prominence with such unbelievable feats carries potential. Chen Meng’s prominence, on the other hand, comes a bit above Fan’s. Her list of achievements includes thirteen world championship medals, six-time Asian Champion and five-time Asian Games medalist, a double gold champion debut in the Tokyo Olympics and her recently added Paris Olympics gold medal feat. Missing out the existence of such important and key players, the WTT is surely losing out to an extent. We just now have to wait and see what’s these two have decided for their next plan after opting out from the WTT event.