Zhang Jike

Zhang Jike plays with a shakehand grip and is a two winged aggressive attacking player, using a combination of quick topspin drive attacks, counter topspins, and topspin loops.

He stays very low to the ground and is brilliantly quick on his feet. He is well known for having one of the best backhand techniques, often using it from the forehand corner, especially when returning heavy backspin serves and pushes.

His backhand over the table flick is often regarded as one of the best in the world.

When Zhang Jike became part of the national team, the coaches were at first concerned about his forehand technique and considered changing it completely.

But Xiao Zhan, who was then personal coach to Zhang Jike, saw the explosive technique and effectiveness of his forehand and backhand strokes and instead decided to keep them as they were.

Zhang Jike's generates tremendous spin with his technique which often provides him with an advantage against many opponents.

Zhang's serves are excellent, unpredictable and very deceptive. His most famous serve is probably the reverse-pendulum short serve into both corners of the table.

His superb backhand flick, high quality footwork and first rate anticipation has proved to be an ideal combination as he is able to open up into fast topspin rallies which he wants to play.

It is interesting that he often plays with a backhand oriented game plan against players who have big forehand loops like.

He would pin his opponents in their backhand corner and go for down-the-line blocking or counter topspin winners as the opponent steps around to try to use a forehand loop. This also piles up the pressure on the opponent, resulting in bad shot selections and unforced errors.

Zhang Jike's has great mental strength. His ability to win the big important points in major events when under severe pressure is apparent to many observant people who know table tennis.

Zhang Jike has been critised in the past after losing in the early rounds of events and not winning any titles world tour exits and titles.

Chines head coach Liu Guoliang criticized him for his lack of focus and development of his strokes. However, he has a habit coming back strongly , no more so than in 2014 when his world ranking went down to 5th but he then went on to win the World Cup again.

This event will probably be remembered most for his celebration where he destroyed a couple of barriers in celebration. This cost him the prize money of $45,000 as a fine.