Recently, the World Table Tennis (WTT) Federation announced a series of rule changes for WTT events. In addition to the widely discussed “mandatory withdrawal” regulation, another previously debated issue has been partially addressed: increased emphasis on doubles events and higher prize money for doubles. This can be seen as a positive response to the recent suggestion by Chinese table tennis world champion Liang Jingkun regarding the importance of doubles.
However, there have always been two opposing views online regarding table tennis singles and doubles events:
One group believes that participating in multiple events significantly consumes an athlete’s physical energy and focus. Given the general emphasis on singles, without adequate prize money and support, it’s hard to justify the effort. For example, in the WTT Singapore Grand Slam, the doubles champions each received only $4,000, while a singles player who exited in the 64th round (first round) received $5,000.
Another group views table tennis doubles merely as an “appendage” to singles, arguing that the tactics used are identical, so it’s reasonable for doubles prize money to be lower than that of singles.
So, how should we view this controversy?
Tactical Differences Between Singles and Doubles
First, it’s essential to acknowledge that the tactical requirements for table tennis doubles differ significantly from those of singles:
Strict Serving Regulations: In doubles, players must serve from their right half to the opponent’s right half. This restriction prevents many singles serving and attacking tactics from being effective.
One Shot Per Player: Each player is responsible for one shot, allowing them to focus on executing powerful attacks without the need for quick recovery, as the next shot is handled by their partner. This contrasts with singles, where players must be prepared for continuous rallies.
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Repeated Placement Tactics: Due to the one-shot-per-player rule, doubles often employ repeated placement strategies. By consistently targeting the same spot, opponents may struggle to reposition in time, which is different from the singles approach that emphasizes varied shot placement and angles.
Mixed Doubles Dynamics: In mixed doubles, male players typically have stronger individual shot quality than female players. Therefore, when it’s the male player’s turn to attack, they should aim to deliver powerful shots to reduce the pressure on their female partner.
These tactical differences necessitate distinct preparation and training for doubles events.
Impact of Participating in Doubles on Singles Performance
Some fans believe that athletes participating in multiple events may experience physical fatigue, which could affect their singles performance. However, in major competitions like the Olympics, the physical impact of doubles on singles is minimal. For instance, at the Olympics, athletes can participate in up to three events. Team and singles events are entirely separate, and the overlap between mixed doubles and singles matches is limited, so the physical consumption is not significant.
The real challenge lies in the different tactical requirements between singles and doubles. Given the short reaction times in table tennis, athletes may experience muscle memory and subconscious response deviations when switching between the two formats, leading to divided attention. During Olympic preparations, athletes must engage in different training modes for each event. Over time, this can lead to “decision fatigue,” making singles more challenging to adjust to compared to doubles. Therefore, the view that doubles might “hinder” singles performance has some basis.
The Need for Policy Support for Doubles Events
Exaggerating or belittling the impact of doubles on singles is incorrect. However, we cannot deny the existence of this impact. Studies of athletes’ performances and results show that top singles players generally do not perform poorly in doubles, but reaching the pinnacle is also challenging. Conversely, doubles teams can achieve excellent results even if one player’s singles level is not exceptionally high, provided they have good coordination.
Currently, the status of table tennis doubles is awkward, which is why it requires policy support. The tactical differences between singles and doubles are not as pronounced as in badminton, where specialized doubles teams are formed. In table tennis, the lack of motivation for forming specialized doubles teams is due to low prize money and the presence of doubles events in major competitions like the Olympics, leading to “distorted” development:
Top players can focus on the Olympics, but this divides their attention from singles. The more they invest in doubles, the more it negatively affects their singles performance.
Lower-level athletes find it unprofitable to specialize in doubles for the Olympics, which occur every four years and are unlikely to yield good results. Without prize incentives in other competitions, they may neglect doubles.
Previously, Liang Jingkun and others suggested increasing doubles prize money to stimulate interest in these events. Now, the WTT has responded by adding $500,000 specifically for doubles events. Will this change athletes’ attitudes toward doubles? Let’s observe the developments.
