Photo: WTT

To provide greater flexibility for athletes, World Table Tennis (WTT) has decided to remove the mandatory participation requirement at all WTT Grand Smashes, along with other changes aimed at a balanced approach to player well-being and career sustainability, according to a statement released by the WTT on Tuesday.

The changes include direct entry to WTT events for reigning Olympic champions and an additional $1 million in prize money. Players will be invited to the remaining three WTT Grand Smashes in 2025 and will be granted two annual exemptions from WTT Champions events, allowing them to better manage their schedules and planning, the statement said. 

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), the world's table tennis governing body, said it welcomes and fully supports the regulatory enhancements to the WTT Series. The changes mark a significant step forward in player-centric governance and event development, the ITTF said in a statement on Tuesday. 

"Players are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to listening to their feedback. I am delighted to see the WTT implementing these positive changes, demonstrating our collective ability to address concerns genuinely, collaboratively and swiftly," said ITTF President Petra Sörling.

Sörling also expressed gratitude to Liu Guoliang, chairman of the WTT Board, for his constructive collaboration. 

"These changes reflect our dedication to making table tennis more exciting, rewarding and player-focused. The feedback from players and stakeholders has been invaluable, reaffirming our commitment to continuously evolving the WTT Series," Liu said.

The adjustments came after the ITTF established a dedicated task force in January to gather feedback from players and review existing regulations, following the withdrawal of several Chinese star players from the world rankings.

In December last year, Chinese Olympic champions Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng announced their withdrawal from the world rankings on social media. Both players cited physical limitations and the inability to participate in consecutive high-intensity tournaments as key reasons for their withdrawal. They said that they were unable to comply with the WTT regulations, which previously imposed fines on players for not participating in events.

The penalties for non-participation were designed to support the structure of the WTT calendar, according to the WTT, ensuring that fans, organizers, event partners and broadcast partners can rely on the participation of the world's top players.

The WTT, the commercial and events company of the ITTF, said it is also exploring the incorporation of more best-of-seven matches into the current event format to enhance the competition experience. This potential change would align with international events, including the Olympic Games, ensuring consistency across the sport's biggest stages.

Other enhancements for the WTT Series include the introduction of mixed doubles to the WTA Finals to bring a fresh, dynamic twist to the season finale, and greater access to top-tier competition for young players. The move will allow players to form new pairings during events, fostering greater adaptability and unpredictability in doubles competition.

Global Times