In the world ranking updated by the ITTF in January 2025, the names of Ma Long, Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng disappeared at the same time, triggering speculation that "a generation of famous players is about to retire." But a few months later, Ma Long said to the media: "I am not considering retirement at the moment, and I will make every effort to prepare for the National Games next!"
The Chinese Table Tennis Association immediately clarified: Withdrawing from the world rankings is just because he no longer participates in international competitions, and he is not retired. What is even more surprising is that on April 23, Ma Long was elected vice chairman of the China Table Tennis Association and was approved by the Beijing team as an active athlete. He will continue to lead the team to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao National Games as a captain! This "hexagonal warrior" with 4 gold, 3 silver and 4 copper records in his hand will become the legend of "National Games Hardware" if he wins gold again.
In the past 22 years of his career, Malone's bonus income alone has exceeded 20 million yuan, and the accumulated awards of WTT series and international competitions are astonishing. If wages and endorsements are included, the total income has already exceeded 100 million. This data, which was first exposed, completely refreshed the public's perception of the commercial value of table tennis players.
But Ma Long's persistence has long surpassed the economic level. Beijing team head coach Zhang Lei revealed that Ma Long still insists on the "self-abuse training" of 2,000 servings a day, and this habit has lasted for 17 years. The team doctor's phone contains shocking videos of his recovery from knee injury: more than 20 acupuncture, 4 effusions were drawn, and the rehabilitation agent strangled his neck and forced his body straightened... His training notes were as thick as 20 cm, and even the deviation angle of the serving rotation axis was accurately recorded.
36 years old, vice chairman of the Table Tennis Association, active athlete - these three identities are rare in the history of Chinese sports. His persistence comes from his love for table tennis, his reward for the Beijing team, and his responsibility for promoting sports. In the National Games, which is the most important stadium in all provinces and cities, Ma Long's participation will surely spark attention and box office.
When the peers had already left the stadium, the newly appointed vice chairman of the Table Tennis Association still repeated boring training at the Xiannongtan Stadium every day. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao National Games may be the "last dance" of his career, but this dance has long surpassed the victory and lost and has become the best footnote to the Chinese sports spirit.
