1 Night Shows How Far US Table Tennis Has Come – and How Far It Has to Go
PARIS — Amid the electric atmosphere of the South Paris Arena complex, a chant echoed through the packed convention hall between the third and fourth games of the match: "Lil-y … clap, clap, clap." California’s Lily Zhang, a beacon of American table tennis, couldn’t help but be amazed. "It was amazing," she said, reflecting on the moment European table tennis fans were chanting for an American.
Not only was Zhang a focal point of the evening, but fellow American Kanak Jha also made history by becoming the first U.S. men’s singles player to compete in the Olympic round of 16. This night at the Paris Games was a testament to the quiet progression of table tennis in the United States, a country where ping pong is often played in basements or spare rooms, yet few pursue it as a world-class sport requiring intense training, timing, endurance, focus, lightning reflexes, and mental toughness.
However, this night also highlighted how far the sport still has to go in the U.S. After a spirited run in Paris, Zhang was swept in four games by Shin Yu-bin of South Korea, the tournament’s No. 4 seed. Zhang, the No. 19 seed, lost her first seven points and each of the first three games. Despite a valiant effort in the fourth, she couldn’t convert on two game points, ending the match 11-2, 11-8, 11-4, 15-13.
"Definitely pretty disappointed and heartbroken with the result," Zhang said, "but I think I really gave it my absolute everything. I fought until the very end."
Jha didn’t fare much better. Overmatched against the men’s No. 2 overall seed, Fan Zhendong of China, Jha exited 11-4, 11-7, 12-10, 11-7 to end the evening. "It is very impressive to have two players from the U.S. in the round of 16," Jha said. "Lily is a more seasoned veteran. I think it's a great result for here, but also, I'm not surprised. ... For myself, I take a lot of confidence in this."
Jha’s run was particularly impressive given his recent 16-month suspension due to a missed drug test, reportedly because he didn’t include the “+1” in his U.S. phone number on a form. "I am happy how I played," said Jha, reflecting on the tournament overall. "I beat some very strong opponents here. I showed, once again, I can challenge almost any opponent in the world at this point being from the USA."
Zhang, 28, a professional in her fourth Olympics, has hinted at the possibility of retirement soon, though she also said after Wednesday night’s match that she’d “never say never” with the 2028 Games being in Los Angeles. Whether this was it for Zhang or not, she’s already made an impact as perhaps the most accomplished and influential U.S. table tennis player of the Olympic era (dating to 1988).
"I've done a lot that I've wanted to do in my career," she said. "It's been a really fulfilling experience. … Since I first started playing, I've seen the sport grow so much. Now we have a home league even. We've got more professional players. Even though they are small steps, I think it's really necessary and really cool to see."
The pro league – Major League Table Tennis – launched last year, signaling growth in clubs and players. With the next Olympics set to be on home soil in Los Angeles, the potential for further growth is palpable. However, Zhang acknowledges the challenges ahead. "If I had the answers, I would tell you," she said when asked what it would take for the U.S. to seriously challenge the Asian powers that dominate the sport. "Overall, it just needs more exposure, more media, more funding, more eyes on us."
"It would take a long way," Jha added. "The U.S. is growing. ... We have potential, but we still need time. We need the sport to be bigger in the U.S. The problem is it's not very mainstream. It's not very well known. We need more support. I think it is possible, but it will take some steps."
As the night in Paris showed, U.S. table tennis has come a long way, but the journey to the top is far from over. With the right support and exposure, the future looks bright for American table tennis.