In a makeshift ping pong arena set up temporarily in Las Vegas, Liang Jingkun lowered his paddle with a vacant gaze. As the world’s fifth-ranked Chinese table tennis mainstay, he endured a grueling five-set battle in the first round of the 2025 WTT US Grand Slam men’s singles. Unexpectedly, he was upset 2-3 by the world No. 85 French qualifier Lillian Bard. At the moment the match ended, Liang stood motionless by the sidelines, resembling a bewildered child caught after a mistake. His sweat-soaked shirt clung tightly to his back, and even the cold breeze from the arena’s air conditioning seemed powerless to lift the heavy weight pressing down on him.
展开剩余87%The match began as expected, with Liang dominating the first game 11-5 effortlessly. However, the turning point came in the third game. When Bard surged ahead to an 8-2 lead, Liang suddenly ignited, scoring nine straight points to stun everyone with an 11-8 comeback. Yet, the momentum shifted again in the fourth game, where despite holding an 8-6 advantage, Liang was overturned. In the deciding fifth game, his energy drained completely as he managed only five points before conceding defeat. The environment inside the plastic dome was far from ideal—frequent leaks and unstable tables disrupted the rhythm of play. While Bard had already adjusted to these conditions through qualifying rounds, Liang’s stroke timing was repeatedly thrown off.
Liang’s technical weaknesses were fully exposed in this match. Bard’s rapid directional changes relentlessly targeted Liang’s backhand, neutralizing his trademark powerful topspin attacks. During rallies, Liang hesitated and showed indecision; at 8-8 in the fourth game, he committed multiple unforced errors, and his aggressive attacking strategy instead led to self-sabotage. The image of coach Liu Zhiqiang frowning intensely at the sidelines quickly circulated online, yet the timeouts offered little improvement. This defeat marked Liang’s second major international upset within half a year, following a narrow 3-4 loss to Brazilian star Hugo at the Doha World Table Tennis Championships, raising further doubts about his ability to handle pressure in big tournaments.
Liang Jingkun’s unexpected exit has created a gap in the Chinese men’s singles lineup. On the same day, young talent Chen Yuanyu lost 1-3 to British player Pitchford, leaving Wang Chuqin as the sole representative in the bottom half of the draw. Should Wang Chuqin also falter, China will be prematurely eliminated from the lower bracket finals. The painful transition between generations in the post-Paris Olympic cycle feels especially acute right now. Liang’s defeat is not only a personal setback but also a reflection of the broader challenges the team is confronting.
Looking at Liang Jingkun’s 2025 season overall, this upset appears more a result of fluctuating form rather than a decline in skill. Earlier in the year, he showed strong performance: at the Singapore Grand Slam, he came back from 0-2 down to defeat Dimitrij Ovtcharov in five games, and narrowly beat Wang Chuqin 4-3 in the semifinals. He also reached the final of the Asian Cup, maintaining a top-three world ranking. His technical foundation is unquestionable, yet persistent issues such as a habitual slow start and impatience on crucial points continue to plague him like recurring ailments.
Fans have shown understanding and empathy, becoming a faint light in the dark. On social media, voices urge others not to over-criticize, emphasizing technical flaws rather than emotional outbursts. Nicknamed “Sweetie” for his gentle personality, Liang has received a flood of encouraging messages. He still holds chances for redemption—he is set to compete in the men’s doubles alongside Wang Chuqin. This pair, who won the Chinese Grand Slam in 2024, carries the strategic hopes of strengthening the national doubles team. Their complementary styles—Wang’s skillful front-court organization combined with Liang’s powerful backcourt attacks—once overwhelmed the French Lebrun brothers.
Losing tastes bitter, but the true allure of sports lies in how one rises after falling. Liang’s frozen figure sitting by the court tugs at the heartstrings, yet it also reveals the genuine emotions of an athlete. When fans joke about “Coach Liu’s curse,” beneath the helplessness lies hope. Liang’s journey is far from over. Under the glaring Las Vegas lights, the figure bending down to gather his equipment is quietly gathering strength for the next rally, for a true champion is always reborn in the next game.
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