Image source: ITTF WeChat official account.
Chinanews Client, December 23rd. On the 23rd Beijing time, the ITTF issued an announcement stating that under the new rules, the WTT Grand Slam event will occupy the highest position in the new world ranking of table tennis. The World Table Tennis Championships are the same.
The announcement stated that starting from 2021, the ITTF World Ranking will be changed to the World Table Tennis Ranking.
While the new world ranking of table tennis affirms the tradition and importance of ITTF events, it will also play a key role in enhancing the influence of WTT events.
It is reported that the WTT Grand Slam event will be included in the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships and the Olympic Games, becoming one of the top three events on the top of the pyramid. The champions of these three events will each receive 2,000 ranking points.
The WTT World Table Tennis Federation is expected to host up to four WTT Grand Slam tournaments each year. Players' performance in these events will be the most critical factor in determining their table tennis world rankings.
Liu Guoliang, Chairman of the WTT Council, said, “The WTT Grand Slam is the cornerstone of our commitment to table tennis. This is an important moment for the WTT World Table Tennis Federation and the sport. The New World of Table Tennis The approval of the rankings has laid the foundation for these events, which will become the top events for elite players in the next few decades, and also allow us to present more exciting games to fans."
Steve Denton, WTT Director and ITTF CEO, said: "The WTT Grand Slam will unleash the potential of table tennis and help further develop the sport. This will contribute to the overall development of the world table tennis. Have a huge impact, and ultimately benefit our players, fans, member associations, so that all stakeholders can benefit from it."
It is reported that the WTT Grand Slam tournament will debut in 2021 and will gradually develop into the pinnacle of table tennis.
The ITTF revealed that since the announcement of the WTT Grand Slam event plan, many cities have expressed strong interest in hosting the event for a long time.
The ITTF will also announce the host cities of the two WTT Grand Slam tournaments in 2021.
In addition, the new world ranking structure has also re-established the professional path of athletes from youth to adult events, and provides table tennis world ranking points for players participating in the WTT youth series U19 age group.
The independent WTT youth series ranking will be announced in early 2021.
The ITTF stated that the complete 2021 ranking structure, points distribution and final rules will be announced on the ITTF website on December 29, 2020. (Finish)