A game of unparalleled speed and precision, table tennis is a thrilling spectacle that captivates players and audiences alike.

Originating in Victorian-era England as a leisure activity, it was initially known as ping pong before being renamed table tennis in 1922.

Dear Lykkers! Europeans, particularly Hungarians, dominated the sport in its early days. However, the 1950s marked its surge in popularity in Asia, a region that has since produced some of the world’s finest players. By 1988, table tennis had become a staple of the Summer Olympics, debuting in Seoul.

Table Tennis Equipment

Table Tennis Table

The game is played on a 2.74 x 1.53-meter rectangular table made of fibrewood. The surface is coated with dark matte paint and outlined by a 2 cm-thick border line. A net, 15.25 cm high, divides the table into two halves.

Table Tennis Racquet

Known as a paddle or racquet, it measures approximately 17 cm long and 15 cm wide. Made of wood, its rubber-coated sides—one black and one red—allow players to impart or counteract spin on the ball.

Table Tennis Ball

The ball is spherical with a diameter of 40 mm and weighs 2.7 grams. It is typically orange or white, designed for optimal visibility.

How to Play Table Tennis

Serves and Service Rules

The game starts with a coin toss to decide who serves first or chooses the side of the table. The server must toss the ball from an open palm, ensuring it bounces on their side before crossing the net to the opponent’s side. The receiver must return the ball after it bounces. Striking the ball before it bounces results in a foul.

In singles, serves can be directed to any part of the opponent’s table, while in doubles, serves must travel diagonally.

Scoring Points

Players earn points when their opponent fails to return the ball, hits it outside the playing surface, or if the ball contacts any part of their body. In doubles, players alternate shots, adding a layer of complexity.

Winning the Game

A game is won by scoring 11 points, with a two-point lead required if scores are tied at 10-10. Matches consist of multiple games, typically best-of-seven for singles and best-of-five for doubles.

Table Tennis Shots

Topspin

An attacking shot where the paddle grazes the ball’s underside at a 45-degree angle, creating a spinning trajectory that challenges opponents.

Block

A fundamental shot where the paddle is held with an open face to return the ball. This defensive move is often one of the first learned by beginners.

Chop

A defensive shot designed to counter spin. The paddle is angled downward, slicing the ball’s bottom half to produce a backspin. This shot can be executed with either forehand or backhand.

Table Tennis at the Olympics

Table tennis was introduced to the Olympics in 1988 with singles and doubles events. Since Beijing 2008, doubles have been replaced by team competitions for both men and women. Matches in team events are best-of-five, while singles remain best-of-seven.

China has established dominance in the sport, earning 66 Olympic medals, including 37 golds. South Korea follows with 18 medals, three of them gold.

Table tennis continues to inspire with its rapid pace, technical brilliance, and global appeal. Its legacy of excellence grows with every competition.