Addressing Fan Culture, Mental Health, and Bundesliga Move

Following his victory in the table tennis men's singles at the Paris Olympics in August 2024, Chinese table tennis star Fan Zhendong addressed several sensitive topics. He released a social media post accompanied by an interview with Phoenix TV, marking a rare moment of candor from the athlete.

In his post, Fan spoke about the challenges he has faced, particularly concerning fan culture and its impact on his well-being. He expressed a desire to speak to those who genuinely appreciate sports and respect competition, while also acknowledging the harm caused by individuals who use the guise of "love" to cause distress.

Fan, a highly decorated player, has achieved significant success throughout his career. He completed the career Grand Slam in 2024 by winning Olympic singles gold, adding to his multiple World Championship and World Cup titles. He is recognized as a "Super Grand Slam" winner, having claimed nearly every major title in the sport by the age of 27.

In the interview, Fan discussed the pressures of fan culture, mental health, and his move to Germany's Table Tennis Bundesliga (TTBL). He revealed that even when he withdrew from tournaments, online scrutiny persisted, with speculation about his absence. He also recounted a disturbing experience in 2023 when a stranger illegally accessed his hotel room, leading to an instinctive fear of crowded places and isolation during competitions.

Fan also addressed his decision to move to the Bundesliga, a move that surprised many. He revealed that he had discussed the idea with the then Chinese Table Tennis Association President Liu Guoliang and received support. He urged people not to judge his decision hastily, emphasizing that it was not a spur-of-the-moment choice. When asked about representing China in future competitions, Fan stated that those matters would be discussed with coaches and leadership.

Fan admitted to experiencing emotional exhaustion, particularly during the lead-up to the Paris 2024 Olympics. He described a period of abnormal losses and a feeling of wanting to escape the pressure. He attributed this to the immense pressure of preparing for the Olympics, combined with online abuse and organized fan behavior, which led to a state of extreme internal depletion.