{"id":79097,"date":"2025-07-24T17:40:17","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T09:40:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sanweisport.com\/?p=79097"},"modified":"2025-07-24T17:43:56","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T09:43:56","slug":"in-depth-analysis-why-zhu-yulings-outdated-playing-style-still-delivered-a-grand-smash-title","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sanweisport.com\/en\/in-depth-analysis-why-zhu-yulings-outdated-playing-style-still-delivered-a-grand-smash-title\/","title":{"rendered":"In-Depth Analysis: Why Zhu Yuling’s “Outdated” Playing Style Still Delivered a Grand Smash Title"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

At the recently concluded WTT Grand Smash USA<\/strong>, former Chinese national team ace and current Macau representative Zhu Yuling<\/strong> stunned the table tennis world by defeating four top players\u2014Wang Manyu<\/strong>, Shin Yubin<\/strong>, Mima Ito<\/strong>, and Chen Yi<\/strong>\u2014on her way to claiming the women\u2019s singles title<\/strong>. Her world ranking also surged to No. 6<\/strong>, sparking widespread debate:<\/p>

Isn\u2019t her playing style considered outdated? So how is she still this dominant?<\/strong><\/p>

In fact, Zhu Yuling\u2019s triumphant return is the result of multiple factors<\/strong>. Simply labeling her technique as \u201coutdated\u201d misses the broader picture. Ironically, her so-called “outdated” playing style may have even helped her adapt better to the specific environment of the WTT Grand Smash USA. Let\u2019s take a closer look.<\/p>

\ud83c\udfc6 1. A World Champion Foundation: The Bedrock of Her Victory<\/h3>

Zhu Yuling is not just any player\u2014she\u2019s a former world champion<\/strong>. At her peak, she was one of the top three players<\/strong> in the Chinese women\u2019s national team and often positioned as a key challenger to the top spot.<\/p>

In 2017, she famously defeated Liu Shiwen<\/strong> three times across the World Championships<\/strong>, World Cup<\/strong>, and Asian Cup<\/strong>, securing major international titles at just 22 years old<\/strong>. Even as her role later shifted, she remained a serious threat, notably defeating Chen Meng<\/strong> in the 2019 Asian Cup and beating Ding Ning<\/strong>, Chen Meng<\/strong>, and Sun Yingsha<\/strong> in the 2020 World Championship trials.<\/p>

Had she not lost to Mima Ito<\/strong> at a crucial Olympic qualifying stage, Zhu might have made the Tokyo Olympic team\u2014and potentially completed a career Grand Slam<\/strong>. In short, she\u2019s always had the ability<\/strong> to beat top players. Her recent win should come as no surprise.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\ud83d\udd0d 2. Her \u201cOutdated\u201d Style Actually Worked\u2014Thanks to Equipment & Conditions<\/h3>

Zhu Yuling\u2019s style has long been defined by tight control<\/strong>, quick transitions<\/strong>, and consistent placement<\/strong>, rather than raw power. While this approach is often viewed as outdated in today\u2019s high-speed, power-dominated game, it also offers greater adaptability<\/strong>\u2014particularly when equipment or playing conditions change<\/strong>.<\/p>

At the WTT Grand Smash USA<\/a>, players across the board struggled to adapt<\/strong> to the new type of table<\/strong> used on-site. But Zhu, with her steady pace and high consistency, was less affected<\/strong> than her power-hitting counterparts.<\/p>

Why? Because power players rely on timing and precise contact points<\/strong>. Any slight change in bounce or grip can throw off their rhythm. Zhu, on the other hand, uses variation, placement, and pace control. She\u2019s comfortable disrupting rhythm rather than being forced to match it\u2014giving her a distinct edge.<\/p>

In the table tennis world, there’s a saying: \u201cEach era\u2019s gear changes create a new champion.\u201d<\/em> Players like Vladimir Samsonov<\/strong> adapted through multiple generations thanks to balanced, versatile styles<\/strong>\u2014just like Zhu.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Sanweisport-Professional Table Tennis Equipment Provider<\/h3><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
Learn More<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Only 11.9 USD<\/h2><\/div><\/div>