Ma Long says Fan Zhendong better player than he was, always knew he would be China's leader
Chinese table tennis star Ma Long said Fan Zhendong was better a player than he had been, and he had known from early on the reigning Olympic champion would be a key figure in the country's team.
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Speaking to state media, Ma, a six-time Olympic champion in his own right, said his 28-year-old successor had shown his potential as soon as he emerged onto the domestic stage.
Ma, who is the only player in the history of the game to win the men's singles titles at the Olympics, the world championships and the World Cup at least twice, said Fan's future had been obvious 'right from the start'.
'We all felt that he would be the leader and key figure in the Chinese team in the future,' the 36-year-old said. 'We could see that he has such potential going forward.'
Fan's four World Cup gold medals give him one more than Ma, but he still trails one of best to ever player the game in world and Olympic titles, and has achieved the grand slam just once.
Ma Long has yet to officially retire and is expected to play in the National Games in November.
'I felt that it is very important that each generation is stronger than the previous one,' Ma said. 'We grew up watching Wang Liqin, Ma Lin and Wang Hao.
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