Ping Pong Episode 37 Recap
> Ping Pong Recap
Xu Tan confronted Fang Yue about the national team's decision, demanding to know why he was once again overlooked for the World Table Tennis Championships (WTTC). The team, after careful consideration, decided Yu Kenan was the more suitable choice, citing Xu Tan's insufficient experience and mental fortitude in major competitions.
Frustrated, Xu Tan pointed out that these were the same excuses given when he left the team, questioning what more he needed to do to prove himself worthy of a top player position. He highlighted Yu Kenan's current poor form, yet Yu Kenan was still given the opportunity. When Fang Yue suggested other competitions like the China Open or tournaments in Japan and Korea, Xu Tan dismissed them as incomparable to the WTTC.
Fang Yue urged Xu Tan to calmly reflect on the situation before they discussed further steps. While Xu Tan wrestled with his disappointment, numbing himself with training every day, Yu Kenan successfully defended his world champion title at the WTTC, solidifying his era in table tennis history. At the national team's celebration, Xu Tan deliberately avoided Yu Kenan, who was basking in the spotlight.
Jia Yu, ever the opportunist, approached Xu Tan with insincere greetings, then moved on to Yu Kenan. He showered Yu Kenan with congratulations, claiming to have always known he would become a ping pong legend. Yu Kenan, however, simply excused himself and walked away. After consuming a significant amount of alcohol, Yu Kenan was helped back to his hotel room by his agent.
Capitalizing on Yu Kenan's inebriated state, the agent presented a contract from a prominent sports company, promising to mold him into a sports superstar. Despite Yu Kenan's reluctance and concern about its impact on his training, the agent persistently pressed him, eventually forcing a pen into his hand. Without a second glance at the document, Yu Kenan signed it, hoping to silence his agent and get some rest.
Xu Tan, feeling utterly disheartened, confided in Fang Yue about the seemingly endless cycle: he had diligently improved his physical strength, attack, and backhand after being told he lacked in these areas, yet he was still without a chance at the WTTC. Without experience, he couldn't participate in world-class events, yet without participating, he couldn't gain experience.
Fang Yue, sympathetic to his plight, assured him that opportunities are earned through effort and promised to help secure chances if Xu Tan remained committed. That night, Xu Tan reread his old training journal from district training, which spoke of the daily agony of facing failure and the constant pressure. He recalled feeling less talented than others, like Yu Kenan, but also his unwavering resolve to "follow closely to Yu Kenan" as he had nowhere else to retreat.
The next day, Wang Siheng arrived to surprise Xu Tan, having found an internship in Beijing that would allow them to see each other frequently. She asked him to sign some farewell gifts for her former school team, proclaiming him a future world champion. Xu Tan, however, expressed his deep discouragement, feeling that despite all his efforts to improve his physical strength, attack, and backhand, he was still stuck in the same place with no hope for major tournaments.
Wang Siheng reassured him of his potential, affirming his eventual success. Inspired by her encouragement, Xu Tan declared his willingness to participate in any competition, regardless of its scale. Meanwhile, Liu Shi and Yuan Ran's relationship was progressing rapidly, with plans to meet Yuan Ran's mother. Ma Chuan, more anxious than Liu Shi, advised him on the serious nature of meeting her mother, stressing the need to understand her preferences to make a good impression.
Xu Tan's opportunity soon arrived in the form of an International Invitational Tournament in Shijiazhuang, which he initially viewed as just another commercial game. Fang Yue explained that many accomplished players from their era, including Chao Yang and Leng Yi, would be participating. He urged Xu Tan to understand that while some play for dreams or country, others play for personal or family reasons, and their drive can be formidable.
Citing Mr. Fu's wisdom that "experience is accumulated bit by bit," Fang Yue convinced Xu Tan to participate. In June 2013, Xu Tan competed in Shijiazhuang. The match was intense, with Xu Tan feeling noticeably nervous and missing several crucial opportunities. He ultimately lost by three points.
At this moment, he truly understood the meaning of "major competition experience" and the critical importance of a strong mentality, realizing that a similar performance in a WTTC could lead him into a psychological shadow akin to Fang Yue's. During the Dragon Boat Festival, Lei Cheng invited Xu Tan to his home for dinner. There, Xu Tan met Lei Lei's boyfriend, Ou Yang. Lei Cheng and Xu Tan's conversation quickly veered into ping pong, much to Lei Lei's annoyance.
Ou Yang recounted Lei Lei's 16th birthday, where even her cake was adorned with Double Happiness paddles. Lei Cheng, the designer of the cake, added that it also featured an auspicious phrase, then playfully labeled Ou Yang a "banana" due to cultural differences, causing some discomfort. Lei Cheng then advised Xu Tan to seek out more international invitational tournaments across Europe to encounter diverse playing styles and adapt to varying conditions like climate, language, and time zones.
He emphasized that overcoming these challenges would foster comprehensive growth and build invaluable experience for major competitions. While Xu Tan diligently participated in various international open tournaments, including the Poland Open and Croatia Open (as revealed in an end-of-episode summary), accumulating numerous championships, Yu Kenan engaged in high-profile public activities.
He appeared on television shows, playing ping pong with a rice paddle alongside singer Chen Fei'er, and boastfully claimed to have lost count of his world championships, estimating six or seven. Lei Cheng, concerned by Yu Kenan's behavior, called Teng Biao, criticizing his guidance and the national team's permissiveness, vowing to address the issue himself. Later, Yu Kenan called Xu Tan, dismissing the media's reports as fabrications.
He asked about Xu Tan's recent performance, to which Xu Tan mentioned struggling with jet lag. Meanwhile, Wang Siheng, struggling to adapt to her new job in Beijing, endured a dressing-down from her boss on the phone. Amidst a heavy rain, she slipped and injured her leg, which required a cast.
When Xu Tan called, wanting to meet before his Japan Open competition, Wang Siheng lied about being out of town and busy, intent on hiding her injury to prevent him from worrying and affecting his game. Xu Tan confided that he felt unconfident and stressed about the upcoming tournament. He confessed he missed her, and she reciprocated the sentiment, though she continued to avoid his calls.
At the 2014 Japan Open final, Xu Tan, holding two match points, defeated Japan's Ken Yasujima 11-8, securing the championship. He immediately called Wang Siheng to share his triumph, but she still didn't answer. Following his victory at the Japan Open, Xu Tan's world ranking soared to third. However, both Ma Chuan and Fang Yue observed a shift in Xu Tan's demeanor; he seemed increasingly detached. When Fang Yue inquired about his state, Xu Tan simply retorted, "I won, right?"
suggesting that victory was his sole concern. Fang Yue pressed him, urging him to reconsider his true motivation for playing. Xu Tan, without hesitation, stated he played "for my girlfriend" and promptly left to find her. Thanks to Fang Yue's tireless efforts in securing numerous competition opportunities for Xu Tan, Fu Chuanzhi announced the roster for the upcoming Asian Cup Table Tennis Tournament.
Xu Tan was selected alongside Song Min, Su Shun, He Qing, and Ma Yu Yang, with his rapid ascent to a world ranking of third being highlighted. Fu Chuanzhi praised Fang Yue for the invaluable experience Xu Tan gained and encouraged other coaches to develop personalized training plans for their players.
After the meeting, Teng Biao approached Fu Chuanzhi to argue for Yu Kenan's inclusion in the Asian Cup, asserting that Yu Kenan, despite his outward indifference, was eager to compete and that his shoulder injury would not impede his performance.
However, Yu Kenan's recent scandals had greatly displeased Fu Chuanzhi, who responded pointedly, asking if Teng Biao believed Yu Kenan's shoulder injury was truly "the only issue here," implying deeper concerns about the player's overall commitment and conduct amidst his controversies.
