Before I wrap up Wang Chuqin and Weiqiao Club’s CTTSL victory, I had to share Wang’s post-match thoughts on his performance, his journey back to enjoying the sport after wanting to step away, and more. Check out all the interviews on my YouTube channel and the transcript here!
Transcripts (Post-Final Interview)
Interviewer: Your thoughts on winning the first title of 2025—the CTTSL Championship?
Wang Chuqin: Going into the match against Lin Shidong, I told myself to stay humble and approach it with a fighting mindset. Of course, my desire to compete and win was quite strong. I’m thrilled to have secured this championship for Weiqiao, and I hope the relaxed yet confident mindset I brought to the court, along with the improved competitive form compared to earlier this year, will carry over into 2025.
Interviewer: Your emotional shout and celebration after the match—what was going through your mind?
Wang Chuqin: This was essentially my last match of the 2024 season, and at the moment I won, so many memories from the past flashed through my mind. Being immersed in such a deeply desired victory was incredibly emotional. I don’t think my celebration was over the top, it was simply a release of my emotions. It felt amazing to win this match, to shout, and to let it all out. I hope this emotional release, along with my current positive form and mindset, will carry forward.
Interviewer: Fans were chanting, “Wang Chuqin, you’re the best!” What would you like to say to them?
Wang Chuqin: I can truly feel the support and cheers from everyone during this CTTSL, and perhaps not just this CTTSL but in past matches as well. As I’ve said before, I hope to give back to them through strong performances, match after match. I believe that delivering my best on the court and securing victories is the best way to show my gratitude to them, and to myself as well.
Interviewer: Gratitude to Weiqiao
Wang Chuqin: This is my third year with Weiqiao if I remember correctly. I’ve always been deeply grateful for the care and support they’ve given me. Playing in the CTTSL with Weiqiao feels different from my past experiences, it gives me a sense of warmth, like being part of a family. I’ve always hoped to win a championship for Weiqiao, but it hasn’t happened until now.
This year, with Lin Yun-Ju joining us, and teammates Huang Youzheng, Zhou Qihao, Yu Ziyang, and Liang Jingkun, we’ve formed an incredibly strong team. Along with the care from Weiqiao’s staff and the guidance from Coach Yin Xiao, I feel the cohesion and fighting spirit of this team is unmatched by any other club. Winning this championship for Weiqiao this year makes me truly happy.
Transcripts (Post-Semifinal Interview)
Interviewer: How would you sum up today’s match (your win against Fan Zhendong)?
Wang Chuqin: This was a rematch with Fan Zhendong after just a few days, and I tried to learn from the lessons of my previous loss. I prepared thoroughly for this match. From the moment I knew we’d be up against Shanghai, I could already imagine how tough it would be. After all, playing against someone like Bro Dong, one of the world’s best players, I wanted to bring my best to the table.
Interviewer: How was the atmosphere on the court today?
Wang Chuqin:
Since 2023, the atmosphere at table tennis events, both domestic and international, has been incredibly lively. We’ve been receiving increasing support from fans, who are also becoming more knowledgeable about the sport, and the overall vibe just keeps improving. Today, for instance, I didn’t feel any disturbances at all. It’s clear that people are gaining a deeper understanding of the sport and the kind of support and encouragement we players truly appreciate.
Interviewer: It’s the last day of 2024. Can you sum up this year in a few keywords? And what are your hopes for 2025?
Wang Chuqin: Such a tough question! Hmm… I’d say setbacks, joy, pain, and turning points. As for 2025? Let’s get through tomorrow (Jan 1st, 2025) first.
2024 has probably been different for me compared to others. I went through a lot, gained a lot but also lost some things. But now, as the year wraps up, I feel like I’m back on track, and I truly appreciate being in this current state. I hope that 2025 will continue on this positive note and allow me to deliver even better performances for myself, and the Chinese table tennis team.
Transcripts (Post-Stage 1)
How do you feel about your performance today?
I’m quite satisfied with my attitude today, particularly my approach and desire to compete. No matter the match, I’ve really wanted to step on the court and play. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this way. During the last few months, I was in a place where I felt like avoiding competing, but now I’m ready to face it head-on. I think this is a positive sign and a shift in my mindset.
How would you evaluate tonight’s match against Fan Zhendong?
It’s been a long time since I played against Bro Dong. He hasn’t competed much lately. Today, he used many strategies to limit me. Whether it was controlling the rhythm, his ****confidence in managing the game, or his mental strength in critical moments. These are definitely what I still need to work on. In comparison, I can see there are still some gaps in my game. Technically, I think we’re fairly close, but when it comes to the mental game, I need to keep improving and breaking through.
What are your thoughts on the other match tonight against Zhao Zhaoyan?
As for the match against Zhao Zhaoyan, I pretty much just gritted my teeth and got through it. Honestly, neither of us really wanted to play that fifth game. But once I stepped on the court, I reminded myself that this was a team competition. Whether it was representing my club or living up to the expectations of the fans in the crowd, I had to do my best and not let anyone down. Just focus and fight for every point.
How would you summarize your overall performance in Stage 1 of CTTSL this year?
My performance has been quite steady. Since the Fukuoka Finals, my overall condition, including my mental and emotional state, has improved. My attitude toward table tennis has also undergone a big shift. On top of that, winning matches has boosted my confidence even further.
Throughout the whole competition, I’ve had some severe physical issues. But with time to rest each day and the care from my club, as well as Coach Yin Xiao and Coach Wang Hao, I’ve been allowed to get some treatment and gradually recover. Unfortunately, I still had to miss two matches for the club, which was unavoidable. But for the matches I did play, I gave it my all.
How do you look ahead to the Finals (Stage 2 of CTTSL) at the end of the month? Honestly, for the first stage, we already achieved our goal by making it to the top four. We weren’t really aiming to take first place at this stage. It wasn’t something we focused on. Looking ahead to the Finals, I’ll definitely give it everything I have. Everyone on our team has a strong fighting spirit and great cohesion. With Coach Yin leading us, our approach has been quite disciplined and focused. I believe we’ll continue to push forward as a team and aim for even better results for Weiqiao Club.