Fan Zhendong discusses dip in form and bouncing back in 2024 for Paris Olympic Games
The Chinese world number 1 took silver at Tokyo 2020 in 2021 and has won the last two singles world titles. After struggling in the second half of 2023, Fan told Olympics.com and World Table Tennis about his approach for 2024 leading up to the Paris Olympic Games, where he is favourite.
Is 2024 finally Fan Zhendong's time to shine on the Olympic stage?
The Chinese table tennis player has been ranked in the world's top three since July 2015, but missed out on selection for Rio 2016 and achieved silver at Tokyo 2020 in 2021, losing in the final to legendary teammate Ma Long.
But now as the two-time reigning men's singles world champion – and with Ma's gradual decline in form – Fan is perhaps, at last, ready to take Ma's mantle as Olympic champion too.
But even by his own admission, Fan's recent form has given some cause for concern. After winning at the World Championships in South Africa in May, Fan struggled – relatively speaking – through the second half of 2023, losing the Asian Games final to Wang Chuqin.
Speaking recently exclusively to Olympics.com via World Table Tennis, Fan said the last year gave him much to think about ahead of an important Olympic year in 2024.
"I think I've gained a lot through this year," Fan reflected during the Mixed Team World Cup in December. "The event of most significance for me must be the Durban World Table Tennis Championships, because I won this championship in '21 and I wanted to defend my title or do it again in '23.
"I experienced a lot of challenges (in 2023) during which I also matured, and after winning in Durban that really helped me," he said.
"The second half of the year I think probably some of my rhythm was not as good as the first half of the year. There was some uncertainty about my own plans for competitions and my approach may not have been adjusted best.
"I think through these disappointments from the later half of the year, and through some adjustments, I hope I can perform better in '24."
Fan Zhendong on his world ranking
Having spent nearly eight years ranked in the world's top three, the 26-year-old (he turns 27 later this month) could be forgiven for not putting too much stock in the world rankings.
But the International Table Tennis Federation has changed the rankings twice in recent years, moving from a monthly to a weekly system in March 2021, then removing leftover "initial points" from the old ranking system beginning in May 2022.
It means Fan's spot as world number one – his current spell as the top-ranked player only dates back to October – is more hard-earned.
"The ranking system has been undergoing changes. I feel that staying number one was easier under the original format than it is now," Fan stated. "Actually, there are a lot of tournaments now, and you have to plan your competitions which all have specific requirements. And now the rankings are released every week.
"So being able to stay number one in the world in a row, it's kind of an affirmation. I also hope that this position will not become a burden or pressure for me, but rather reflects my ability."
Fan Zhendong's Paris 2024 hopes
Despite his continued success at the top of the sport, Fan – maybe surprisingly – shared that he still feels the nerves every time he steps on court.
"I think I'll always be nervous before matches," he admitted. "Actually, everyone is looking forward to the game and is worried about the results. That's the most fundamental thing about getting nervous.
"After I'm actually on court, I slowly focus on the techniques and game tactics, how to play every point, these specifics. Then I stop worrying about the end result and think more about the process."
Does he see himself as the favourite for Paris 2024?
"Every opponent is worth paying attention to and respecting," Fan said in response. "Everyone taking part in the Olympics is living their dream, and performing well at the Olympics is another dream.
"To me, I'm just eager to have the chance to participate and perform well, no matter who is across the table from me.
"I want to be steady in my competitions and perform at my best. That's not only saying I want to play at my best level, but at any point in time, I would like to show all the hard work I've put in.
"I hope in 2024 I have the same mentality and form and adjust myself to be the best."