Chinese paddler Fan Zhendong  Photo: VCG

Tickets for the 2024 China Table Tennis Super League (CTTSL) Grand Finals went on sale on Monday. The semifinal matchups and schedule for both the men's and women's teams have now been announced. The clubs led by Olympic champions Fan Zhendong and Wang Chuqin will face off in the men's semifinals on December 31, according to CTTSL.

The CTTSL Grand Finals will take place from December 30, 2024 to January 1, 2025. The final match for the championship will be held on January 1, 2025.

"Fan and Wang are two of the most representative players in today's table tennis world. Their matchups are not just about technical competition; they are more about mental and tactical battles," Gao Tengwei, a Beijing-based table tennis coach and sports college instructor, told the Global Times.

"Fan's technique is solid, with excellent offensive and defensive skills, and his forehand loop can be considered among the best in the world," Gao said. 

"While Wang is relatively young, he has already shown a very mature playing style - flexible and full of variety. He sometimes surprises us with unexpected moments on the court," Gao added.

In the recent first phase of the 2024 Chinese Table Tennis Super League season, nine clubs competed in a round-robin format for the four spots in the men's team semifinals. In the first phase, Wang was defeated by Fan 1-3 in the men's singles match.

In the women's team event, the defending champion Shenzhen team is led by the world No.1 women's player, Sun Yingsha, while the Shandong team features world No.2 Wang Manyu, who missed the first phase due to health reasons according to Yangcheng Evening News.

In addition to the adult teams, it is also worth noting that the finals for the boys' and girls' teams aged 7 to 10 will take place at the same time. These matches will be held as part of the national youth training team selection process.

"To maintain a high level of excellence in international table tennis, Chinese table tennis needs a diverse pool of talents, instead of relying on a few top players. Only by continuously nurturing new talents can the entire table tennis ecosystem remain healthy and prosperous," sports commentator Wang Dazhao told the Global Times.

Regarding the recent losses by the Chinese national table tennis team at WTT events, which have led some to question the state of Chinese table tennis, Wang Dazhao does not believe that this signals a decline in the teams' overall level.

"Our outstanding achievements at the recent Paris Olympics, especially victories in men's singles, men's team, and women's team events, have clearly demonstrated the strength and potential of Chinese table tennis," Wang Dazhao noted.

He then emphasized that the Chinese national team not only maintains a top-level standard in adult competitions but also focuses more on diversity and comprehensiveness in the development and selection of youth players, striving to stay ahead in international competitions.

Ticket prices for the final matches range from 208 yuan ($29) to 988 yuan, with single-day passes priced between 576 yuan and 1,976 yuan, and full-event packages range from 1,928 yuan to 5,528 yuan. Fans have been sharing screenshots of their successful ticket purchases, expressing their excitement for the upcoming matches.

"This game is not just a table tennis match; it is also an integral part of Chinese table tennis culture, offering fans the opportunity to experience the charm of competitive sports," Yang said.

Yang noted that the scheduling of the finals during the New Year's holiday provides fans with a perfect opportunity to watch the matches.