How to Enjoy Table Tennis More (Part 2)
4. Add some new technique into the mix.
At every new stage, or at least every couple of months, you should challenge yourself to learn something fresh. Watch a tutorial video and let it sink in. Pick up a surprise flip attack, a side-topspin flick, or a new serve — any of these can make the game more interesting.
It’s not just about rounding out your technical repertoire. A newly acquired skill gives you a real sense of satisfaction and delight.
I’m reminded of a trip to Harbin — all ice and snow. Lots of friends from warmer regions had flocked up there to experience the cold. When I asked them afterward what stood out, a surprising number gave the same answer as me: the highlight of the whole trip was skiing. Most of them were first-timers. They had learned something new, and that learning gave them a different kind of satisfaction.
5. Comfortable gear — that means a jersey that fits well, proper footwear, and fresher rubber.
Money plays a real role here. For instance, I changed from replacing my forehand rubber every four months to every two. The feel improved noticeably, and my win rate went up. A fresher, livelier rubber surface gives you better error tolerance and precision, and it helps the quality of your shots to a meaningful degree.
Lots of players are willing to spend more on premium imported jerseys, because the feel against your skin and the moisture-wicking efficiency are simply better. Admittedly, for someone like me who can burn through a shirt per session in summer, the practical difference is about the same. But the point stands: a comfortable jersey helps you play more happily and with more focus.
Good footwear is the same story. Better footwork efficiency, faster first-step reaction, more accurate shot placement — it can partially compensate for footwork weaknesses.
6. Lower your expectations of yourself.
For those of us who are recreational players, form naturally rises and falls. Slow progress is acceptable. Health and enjoyment should be the actual goals. We grind hard enough in our careers — if we’re going to put that same pressure on ourselves over a game of table tennis, it’s just not worth it.
You can aspire to improve, but winning and losing are normal, and being outplayed by others is normal. Dial back the expectations a little and you’ll find yourself having more fun.
7. Slow down.
I keep coming back to the poet Mu Xin’s poem “Things Were Slow Once.” Eventually I understood: sometimes happiness is actually very simple. You look out the window, let your mind wander for a while — that’s enough.
Of course, for many of us, even daydreaming has become a luxury. Too many demands, too much information — it never stops.
I’ve been making a deliberate effort: while at the table, put the phone away and just talk to the people around me. In the morning, before I finish writing, I keep my phone on silent. Because focus is what produces satisfaction and joy.
It’s the same with table tennis. If you’re trying to handle a dozen things during every break between games, you can’t really feel happy.
And more than that — try to stretch out the entire experience of “playing table tennis” into something that moves at a more leisurely pace. That experience includes the journey to the club and everything after.
Try to clear your hands of other obligations beforehand. Give yourself unhurried time — whether you’re driving, cycling, or walking there. When you’re done, don’t rush to leave. Pack up slowly, chat with your playing partners.
Only when things move slowly can you really savor the pleasure of it all.