India can compete in table tennis at the Olympics. According to Rith Tennyson, professional league play helps Indian athletes become world-class athletes

Rising Indian table tennis player Reeth Richia Tennyson thinks her country may bring home its first Olympic medal in the sport at the Paris Games. Our female squad has a shot at a medal

Tennyson, 28, claims that playing in the professional league UTT has boosted Indian players’ skills, and our athletes are excelling in prestigious competitions.

Last Monday, Tennyson upset Sutirtha Mukherjee, the top paddler in the nation, 8-7 to advance her side, the Goa Challengers, to the fourth season of the Ultimate Table Tennis League (UTT). In the decisive game, the Goa squad defeated the Chennai Lions 8-7. In 2021, she became India’s first winner of the ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation) International Pro Tour. Tennyson was making a return in that game.

How was your UTT experience, exactly?

My first year playing in the UTT league was this one. The opportunity to compete against top-tier players is the best part of playing league. I have to After participating in the event, my standards for myself have increased even further. My self-assurance increased after this. I learned a lot from this league.

What do you think of the game of the top paddler who has been Harmeet Desai’s captain?

Harmeet is a leader, to be sure. I used to always take part in the league’s final game. The team’s success rested on my match at one point when the score was 6-6.

Then Harmeet would call me on my own and direct me. He once said that how you managed the strain at a venue like the Commonwealth Games was nothing in comparison. He is a leader because of these things.

How much have level-based events at WTT benefited Indian players?

Players from all over the world now have access to an international stage thanks to the introduction of WTT competitions. Now that more competitions are held, more information may be learned. We’re doing better today as well. The majority of the athletes are from Japan and China. The big players throughout the world face stiff competition from their average players as well. Participating in these competitions is extremely advantageous for Indian athletes. We learn a lot from each competition. The caliber of Indian players has significantly improved recently.

Speaking of racquet sports, we overthrew China’s hegemony in badminton in Asia. In table tennis, when will this occur?

The answer to this query is extremely technical. Table tennis has a lot of different variations. For the past several years, we have dominated the sport of badminton. Additionally, we have begun to do better in table tennis. Harmeet Desai just defeated the world’s No. 12 player. China’s hegemony won’t end soon. More time will be required.

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How can a young person identify a table tennis player?

In tennis, having a good sense of the ball is crucial. How soon the kid can tell if the ball is spinning or not. One of the fastest sports in the world is table tennis. Strong reflexes are required for this. If a child possesses all these skills, he is talented and can excel in table tennis by enrolling in the academy.

How are the Asiad preparations progressing, and how many medals are anticipated?

The strength of our entire team this year is outstanding. Particularly the women’s team, which has a strong chance of success at the Asian Games. Women’s players come in a variety. Players with varied playing philosophies are on the team, including Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, and Ayhika Mukherjee.

Their games are entirely dissimilar from one another, which will work to our benefit.

Top Asian nations like China and Japan have forgotten how to use rubber on both sides of the bat for variations, while Indian players are adept at doing so. In Asiad, it will benefit us.

Will India win its first medal in this competition at the 2024 Olympics?

This time, teams will compete for qualification. Due to the fact that we will undoubtedly qualify, we have a chance to send a squad to the Olympics. The women’s team can bring a medal if we go to the team.

What has changed in terms of performance after the Tokyo Olympics?

Answer: Over the past three years, my game has gotten better. I’ve performed well in a lot of competitions. additionally won the global competition before competing in the Commonwealth Games. I consistently place in the top two now, even in domestic competitions. This growth is positive.

How was your time spent playing with Manika Batra?

I often work out with Manika Batra. He has a great deal of expertise. She has participated in various competitions. When things get tough, they know what to do. He teaches me a lot.

Miss Manika Batra What makes her unique?

The game Manika is playing is a block game. By controlling the ball’s speed, she disrupts the opponent’s game. He has excellent control over the ball’s pace. This distinguishes them.

You played table tennis in Chennai, where you are from. What kind of culture surrounds table tennis in South India?

In South India, table tennis is taken seriously. Leading athletes from the South include Anthony Amalraj, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, and Sharath Kamal. Future top players in men’s table tennis will come from the South. In women’s table tennis, progress is still being made.