Best table tennis players of all-time

It’s difficult to say who the 10 best table tennis players of all time are, as opinions on the topic may vary. However, some well-known and highly regarded table tennis players include Jan-Ove Waldner, Zhang Jike, Ma Long, Deng Yaping, and Liu Guoliang, among others. These players have achieved great success in international competitions and have cemented their place in the history of the sport. The WGL’s top 10 male table tennis players of all time are as follows:

#1 – Ma Long

Ma Long is a Chinese table tennis player, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He was born on October 20, 1988 in Anshan, Liaoning, China.

Ma started playing table tennis at the age of five, and was quickly recognized as a prodigy. He joined the national team at the age of 14, and quickly rose through the ranks to become one of China’s top players.

In 2010, he won his first major international title at the World Tour Grand Finals, and followed that up with a gold medal at the 2011 World Table Tennis Championships.

In addition to his many international titles, Ma has also won numerous national championships in China, including the Chinese National Games and the Chinese Super League. He has also been named the ITTF World Tour Men’s Singles Champion a record six times, and was named the ITTF Male Star of the Year in 2015 and 2016.

Ma has faced some challenges in his career, including a wrist injury that forced him to miss several important tournaments in 2015. However, he has continued to work hard and remain focused on his goals, and has continued to dominate the world of table tennis.

Ma is also a favourite of the WGL team and has filled up our wallets on numerous times and is one you should always consider when betting on table tennis.

#2 – Jan-Ove Waldner

Jan-Ove Waldner is a Swede who is widely regarded as one of the best table tennis players of all time. Born on October 29, 1965, Waldner began playing table tennis at a young age and quickly rose to prominence on the international stage. He won his first major title, the European Championships, in 1986 and went on to claim gold at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. Waldner is known for his exceptional ball control and technique, as well as his ability to read his opponents and adjust his strategy mid-match.

In addition to his Olympic gold medal, Waldner has won numerous other titles throughout his career, including two World Championships and nine European Championships. He has also been named the International Table Tennis Federation’s (ITTF) Male Player of the Year on multiple occasions. In 1996, he was awarded the Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal, one of Sweden’s highest sporting honors.

Despite his many accomplishments, Waldner is perhaps best known for his performance at the 1994 World Championships in China. In the semifinals, he faced Kong Linghui, a highly regarded Chinese player, and defeated him in an unforgettable match that has been dubbed the “duel of the century.” Waldner went on to win the tournament, cementing his place as one of the top table tennis players of all time. He continued to play well into his 40s at the highest level, and remains a beloved figure in the world of table tennis.

#3 – Zhang Jike

Zhang Jike is a Chinese table tennis player who is considered one of the greatest players of all time. Born on February 16, 1988, in Qingdao, China, Zhang began playing table tennis at the age of five and quickly rose to prominence on the national and international stage. He won his first major title, the China Open, in 2008, and followed that up with a gold medal at the World Cup in 2010.

Zhang is known for his aggressive playing style and powerful forehand shots, as well as his exceptional ball control and technique. He is also known for his mental toughness and ability to perform under pressure, which has helped him win numerous titles throughout his career.

In 2011, Zhang won the World Championships, becoming the first player in history to win all three major titles (World Championships, World Cup, and Olympic Games) in a single year. He followed that up with a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, making him the first male table tennis player to win gold at both the World Championships and the Olympics in the same year. In addition to his World Championship and Olympic titles, Zhang has won numerous other international competitions, including three China Open titles and two Asian Games gold medals.

Zhang retired from the national team in 2018, but continues to compete on the international circuit. He remains one of the most dominant and dominant table tennis players in the world. He was also a cash cow for the WGL team when wagering on table tennis at the top betting sites.

#4 – Timo Boll

Timo Boll is a German table tennis player, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He was born on March 8, 1981 in Erbach, Germany.

Boll started playing table tennis at the age of five, and was quickly recognized as a prodigy. He joined the national team at the age of 16, and quickly rose through the ranks to become one of Germany’s top players. In 2000, he won his first major international title at the European Championships, and followed that up with a gold medal at the 2001 World Table Tennis Championships.

In addition to his many international titles, Boll has also won numerous national championships in Germany, including the German National Championships and the German Super Cup. He has also been named the ITTF World Tour Men’s Singles Champion a record six times, and was named the ITTF Male Star of the Year in 2005 and 2007.

Boll has faced some challenges in his career, including a shoulder injury that forced him to miss several important tournaments in 2009. However, he has continued to work hard and remain focused on his goals, and has continued to dominate the world of table tennis.

#5 – Jörgen Persson

Jörgen Persson is a retired Swedish table tennis player, widely considered one of the greatest players of all time. He was born on September 28, 1965 in Eskilstuna, Sweden.

Persson started playing table tennis at the age of nine, and quickly showed a natural talent for the sport. He joined the national team at the age of 15, and quickly became one of Sweden’s top players. In 1986, he won his first major international title at the World Table Tennis Championships, and followed that up with a gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

In addition to his many international titles, Persson has also won numerous national championships in Sweden, including the Swedish National Championships and the Swedish Super Cup. He has also been named the ITTF World Tour Men’s Singles Champion a record six times, and was named the ITTF Male Star of the Year in 1989 and 1991.

Persson retired from competitive table tennis in 1997, at the age of 32. He went on to serve as the head coach of the Swedish national team, and has been instrumental in developing the next generation of table tennis players in Sweden.

#6 – Wang Hao

Wang Hao is a retired Chinese table tennis player, widely considered one of the greatest players of all time. He was born on February 17, 1982 in Anshan, Liaoning, China.

Wang started playing table tennis at the age of six, and quickly showed a natural talent for the sport. He joined the national team at the age of 14, and quickly became one of China’s top players. In 2004, he won his first major international title at the World Table Tennis Championships, and followed that up with a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

In addition to his many international titles, Wang has also won numerous national championships in China, including the Chinese National Games and the Chinese Super League. He has also been named the ITTF World Tour Men’s Singles Champion a record six times, and was named the ITTF Male Star of the Year in 2009 and 2011.

Wang retired from competitive table tennis in 2015, at the age of 33. He went on to serve as the head coach of the Chinese national team, and has been instrumental in leading the team to numerous international titles.

#7 – Xu Xin

Xu Xin is a Chinese table tennis player, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He was born on February 8, 1991 in Tianjin, China.

Xu started playing table tennis at the age of four, and was quickly recognized as a prodigy. He joined the national team at the age of 15, and quickly rose through the ranks to become one of China’s top players. In 2011, he won his first major international title at the World Tour Grand Finals, and followed that up with a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.

In addition to his many international titles, Xu has also won numerous national championships in China, including the Chinese National Games and the Chinese Super League. He has also been named the ITTF World Tour Men’s Singles Champion a record six times, and was named the ITTF Male Star of the Year in 2013 and 2014.

Xu continues to compete at the highest level, and is one of the top-ranked players in the world. He is known for his relentless work ethic and dedication to the sport, and is considered a favorite to win many more international titles in the future.

#8 – Vladimir Samsonov

Vladimir Samsonov is a Belarusian table tennis player, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He was born on October 14, 1975 in Minsk, Belarus.

Samsonov started playing table tennis at the age of seven, and quickly showed a natural talent for the sport. He joined the national team at the age of 15, and quickly became one of Belarus’s top players. In 1995, he won his first major international title at the European Championships, and followed that up with a gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

In addition to his many international titles, Samsonov has also won numerous national championships in Belarus, including the Belarusian National Championships and the Belarusian Super Cup. He has also been named the ITTF World Tour Men’s Singles Champion a record six times, and was named the ITTF Male Star of the Year in 1999 and 2001.

Samsonov retired in 2021 at the height of the covid-19 pandemic, but continues to be involved in table tennis.

#9 – Liu Guoliang

Liu Guoliang is a retired Chinese table tennis player, and the current head coach of the Chinese national team. He was born on November 4, 1976 in Anyang, Henan, China.

Liu started playing table tennis at the age of six, and quickly showed a natural talent for the sport. He joined the national team at the age of 16, and quickly became one of China’s top players. In 1995, he won his first major international title at the World Table Tennis Championships, and followed that up with a gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

In addition to his many international titles, Liu has also won numerous national championships in China, including the Chinese National Games and the Chinese Super League. He has also been named the ITTF World Tour Men’s Singles Champion a record six times, and was named the ITTF Male Star of the Year in 1997 and 1998.

Liu retired from competitive table tennis in 2003, at the age of 27. He went on to serve as the head coach of the Chinese national team, and has been instrumental in leading the team to numerous international titles, including the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.

#10 – Ma Lin

Ma Lin is a retired Chinese table tennis player, widely considered one of the greatest players of all time. He was born on February 20, 1980 in Shenyang, Liaoning, China.

Ma started playing table tennis at the age of six, and quickly showed a natural talent for the sport. He joined the national team at the age of 14, and quickly became one of China’s top players. In 1999, he won his first major international title at the World Table Tennis Championships, and followed that up with a gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Ma retired from competitive table tennis in 2014, at the age of 34. He went on to serve as the head coach of the Chinese national team, and has been instrumental in leading the team to numerous international titles.

How do you rate our top 10 male table tennis players of all time? Have we missed anyone? Leave us a comment in the box below.