Chinese table tennis feud: world champion Liu Shiwen opens up about long-time rivalry that damaged her relationship with teammate Ding Ning
- Liu emerged from Ding’s shadow after capturing the world title in April
- The 28-year-old is expected to represent China in all three events at the Tokyo Games
Reigning world champion Liu Shiwen of China surprised the international table tennis community after publicly describing her fellow national team member Ding Ning as “not a friend but a rival”.
In mainland television programme A Date with Luyu, Liu could not hide her resentment at being a reserve for the 2012 London Olympic Games, but even more shocking was how she described her long-time relationship with Ding, the Rio Games singles champion.
“There are different type of friends ... there are some people who we see in the team every day, share the same room with and can become very close friends,” said Liu, who has all but confirmed her participation in next year’s Olympic Games after claiming the world singles and mixed doubles (with Xu Xin) titles in April.
“But there is another type – like Ding and me. We have played together since a very young age, seeing each other in practice every day, but also competing against each other on the court. In fact, we spend more time together than with our family members. But because of this long-time rivalry, our relationship seems to be close but is also quite distant. And this kind of competitive nature relationship has existed for a long time.”
Liu, 28, has alway been in the shadow of her more decorated teammate Ding, who is ten months older. Ding won a singles silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games when Liu was along for the ride as a back-up.