Wang Chuqin's fury at ITTF after suspicious racquet damage at World Championships
Chinese table tennis star Wang Chuqin was furious with the organisers at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships after his racquet suffered a malfunction before a mixed doubles match on Monday in Doha.
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Wang and teammate Sung Yingsha were set to face Brazilian pair Bruna Takashi and men's world champion Hugo Calderano in the third round when the 25-year-old noticed visible creases and cracks at the top of the rubber.
Wang and coach Xiao Zhan protested at the state of the racquet but they were told it was in good enough condition for the match to go ahead and the Chinese duo eased to a 3-0 victory – and even earned a bye to the quarter-finals after fourth-round opponents, Romanian pair Ovidiu Ionescu and Elizabeta Samara, withdrew, citing an injury for the latter.
'I have no idea why these things always happen to me,' Wang said. 'I felt something was wrong with the sponge the moment I stepped onto the court.
'The sponge opened halfway but it was fine before the test, and it couldn't be used for the match. I am very disappointed with the organisation and the referees – they couldn't even inspect the racquets properly.'
The damage on Wang Chuqin's racquet (left). Photo: Xinhua
Wang has previous for suffering issues with his equipment at major events.
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