Wang plays down rumors of retiring from table tennis
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Three-time world champion Wang Liqin confirmed Wednesday that he'll not retire from table tennis though rumors have been around regarding his recent performance.
The former World No. 1, who is ranked the sixth in the latest released ITTF standings after months away from international competitions, has been preparing for the 330, 000 U.S. dollars China Open, which kicks off the main draw here on Thursday.
"Every member of the national team is vying for a spot in China's squad for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, and so am I," said the 32-year-old Wang. "I do meet some problems on and off the court, but nothing could stop me from playing table tennis, the sport I love."
"Hopefully, I could win back the hearts of my national coaches through my very own performance," he added.
Wang had disqualified for the Moscow world team championships in May after losing all five rounds of national trials since earlier this year.
It has been the first time for Wang in over ten years to miss world championships since his debut in 1997, marking a career low for the Shanghai native who won men's singles world title in 2001, 2005 and 2007.
During the ongoing Chinese Super League of Table Tennis, Wang's win-lost rate is just the seventh among those of the nation's top male paddlers.
Liu Guoliang, head coach of the Chinese national table tennis men's team, admitted last week that Wang was far from his best form but worked as hard as always, that's why the national team's coaching staff all agreed to give him a chance to prove himself and filed his name in the China Open rosters.
"I have faith in the veteran and believes that Wang could make it through with all his efforts," said Liu.
But Liu had also repeated that it's impossible for the three Beijing Olympians, namingly Wang Liqin, Wang Hao and Ma Lin, to make it all into the London Olympic squad, considering the impressive form of the nation's younger generations.
"China Open will be one of my best chances to prove myself, though I knew it's not easy as most of the world's best players have drawn in," said Wang Liqin.
Ma Long, the 20-year-old who has occupied the world's no.1 position throughout 2010, has withdrawn from the Harmony China Open, but other five Chinese nationals besides Wang as well as world No. 2 Timo Boll of Germany have arrived for the event which offers the highest prize fund of any open international tournament on this year's ITTF Pro Tour.
