Ni Xialian’s Emotional Moment at WTT China Grand Slam: A Legacy of Joy in Table Tennis

　　China news serviceBeijing, October 2: Ni Xialian sheds tears on the court, table tennis is still happy

Author Zhou Xin

“I’m sorry, Grandma Ni has let everyone down.”

On the evening of the 1st, in the 2024 World Professional Tennis League (WTT) China Grand Slam women’s singles tournament, Ni Xialian, who represented Luxembourg, lost 0:3 against Japanese star Mima Ito. Ni Xialian, who always loves to laugh, couldn’t help crying.

The 61-year-old Chinese veteran said coming to Beijing to play games felt like “going home.” “Grandma Ni also wanted to win, but unfortunately she didn’t have the ability and let everyone down.”

On October 1, in the second round of the women’s singles match of the WTT China Grand Slam, Ni Xialian, who represented Luxembourg, lost to the Japanese star Mima Ito 0:3 and lost the top 16 women’s singles. (Photo courtesy of WTT World Table Tennis Federation)

For “Grandma Table Tennis”, table tennis is already a sport that is about happiness and has nothing to do with winning or losing. In Paris this summer, Ni Xialian represented Luxembourg in her sixth Olympic career. Six games in the Olympics is rare in the world of table tennis, but Ni Xialian does not think it has any special meaning. “I don’t need records or miracles, I just have to do my best.”

Work hard, so be happy. Facing the Olympic champion Mima Ito, Ni Xialian actively ran on both sides of the table, trying her best to move Ito. However, Mima Ito showed a strong attack at first and firmly accepted the initiative. Finally, Ni Xialian lost her opponent 0:3 and stopped in the top 32 of WTT China Grand Slam.

This time, Ni Xialian, who had always been “happy ping pong”, was moved to tears. After the game, she got a lot of hugs on her way from the field to the mixed mining area. “Grandma Ni, Grandma Ni! Can you put your name in for me!” A child shouted to Ni Xialian against the wind, with pen and paper in hand. In the mixed mining area, she even wondered if the child had caught a cold in the wind.

“Everyone is so kind to me, I’m overwhelmed.” “This time I can come back to Beijing to play, and I hope to give everyone a wonderful game. This is my greatest wish.

This is Ni Xialian’s return to Beijing to play a game since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She said she wanted to repay the fans with a victory on National Day. “I also want to win one more point, but I disappoint you. I’m sorry, I can’t help it. Thank you all.” Ni Xialian’s tears flowed down the corners of her eyes again.

“I know it is difficult (to win), but I have been rising to the challenge.” Ni Xialian said that this is the kind of competitive sport you have to rely on strength to speak. “We have to meet challenges one by one and overcome problems one by one. I also hope that the children will learn something from me.” (End)