A bit of fun and a whole lot of learning: overseas paddlers revel in UTT's unique aspects

The Hindu

2 days ago

Contrary to the conventional professional table tennis leagues across the globe, Ultimate Table Tennis has adopted a different format. And the overseas players are latching on to it like a paddler to a table.
Britt Eerland, the SuperMom Olympian from the Netherlands, is one of them, having made a successful debut for Jaipur Patriots in UTT Season 6.
'In the beginning, I called it Bollywood Table Tennis. It seemed like that, but in the end, we all want to participate and win. When I got an opportunity, I realised how competitive it was,' Eerland told The Hindu, bursting into laughter.
Eerland was obviously referring to the razzmatazz that's created to attract television audience.
With music blaring during the games and the breaks between five matches, UTT 2025 has continued to witness paddlers displaying their dancing moves during a match.
Adriana Diaz, the Puerto Rican who has consistently maintained top-20 World rankings, is one of them. When she made her UTT debut in 2018, she was a promising paddler, way too focused on her game. On her return to UTT this season, she is soaking in all the entertainment around.
'One song that I have loved is desi girl, it's the best song ever. I listen to it every night,' Diaz said, hoping that she will play a part in helping Kolkata ThunderBlades waltz into the semifinals in the team's maiden UTT outing.
Besides the lights and sound show, the UTT format is also different from the competitive circle.
New dimension
Each of the five ties in a match features three games. Contrary to the best-of-three games format elsewhere, it means every game is awarded a point. It has helped Eerland add a new dimension to her game.
'I like challenging myself. I would say I am someone who likes combats, but it means I don't start well. So, I was thinking of soaking in the pressure and starting well in this format,' she said.
'If you lose the first set, you lose a point for your team. I am making a conscious effort to start well. Sometimes it's too much pressure, but you need to feel uncomfortable to grow. So for me to grow, this is a great format'.