Table tennis, as a sport, does not get the recognition it deserves. Many aren’t aware of the physical and mental complexities, nor the strategic nature of competition. I attended the Edinburgh University Table Tennis Club championships, eager to learn more about a sport that has had trouble finding the spotlight.
The intense and physically demanding nature of table tennis soon became apparent to me. Players stressed the importance of reflexes and micro-movements, with muscle memory being a key component to high-level competition. Often having less than a second to react after a serve, players have to decide what to do before their opponent even hits the ball.
There is also a complex tactical depth to the sport — players have to adapt their playstyles constantly to retain a psychological edge, utilising different serves and putting different levels of spin on the ball.
I was keen to speak to a player named Orkun, who was considered a favourite to win the championship. He described to me the mental preparation he went through, tactically playing out every game in his head before it began. Having played against everyone at the club many times, he knew each player’s weaknesses and how to exploit them.
As the tournament progressed and the final grew nearer, I found myself being sucked into the excitement of the sport — I was intrigued to see whether Orkun would live up to the expectations, and who would challenge him for first place.
Once the final arrived, it saw two contrasting figures face off — Orkun, as expected, stood on one side of the table and on the other stood relative newcomer Jean. Holding a 100 per cent win rate in team four and having beaten the team one captain, Georges, early in the tournament, some began to wonder: could Jean stand a chance?
The near unanimous favourite and the enigmatic underdog squared up in an intriguing match-up that few would have predicted at the start. Orkun got off to a strong start, enjoying himself and playing aggressively. He fired testing shots at Jean, staying on his toes and spinning with the momentum of his strikes, almost showboating. Spectators in the viewing gallery commented on how comfortable he looked, like he knew he was going to win.
After a dominant first two sets, Orkun led 2-0, and only needed one more to secure the win. However, the third set went to Jean — a momentary setback in Orkun’s eventual win, many thought. Yet when Jean took the fourth set, bringing the score to 2-2, doubts began to grow — could Orkun be guilty of underestimating his opponent? Murmurs rippled through the viewing gallery that Orkun losing may actually be a possibility.
The fifth set was a tight, back-and-forth affair; Jean had gained a lot of momentum by winning two sets against Orkun, and a win now would cement his reputation as a formidable opponent. After trading points and testing each other’s abilities all match, it came down to a final match point.
Jean settled into his serving stance as Orkun crouched down on the other side of the table ready to receive the ball, and time seemed to slow down for a moment. Jean lifted up the ball, smashed it down into the table, and, moments later, it was all over: he had done it. Defying all expectations, Jean had defeated Orkun in the final to claim a shock victory.
As players streamed down from the gallery to help pack up the tables and get ready to leave, I realised that the EUTTC was about more than just competition; it was a community. Multiple players I’d spoken to had given me the sentiment that the group was like one big family. Laughter and conversation rang out across the gymnasium, and both Orkun and Jean had smiles on their faces. While competition had provided the format for these people of different nationalities and backgrounds to challenge each other, the friendships they had forged seemed just as important.
I entered the EUTTC championships unaware of the extent of table tennis’ physical demands and tactical complexities; I left having been welcomed in by a rich community of devoted players that truly loved the sport. One player I spoke to claimed that table tennis gets some of the least attention in universities in the UK — from what I saw of it, this should not be the case.