Too caught up in celebrity life? Multiple Olympic gold medallist Zhang Jike crashes out of the Hong Kong Open
China’s three-time Olympic gold medallist loses to Japanese opponent on Thursday evening as he tries to regain his once formidable form
Chinese table tennis legend Zhang Jike was mobbed by screaming fans before his first-round main draw game even started on Thursday afternoon – but the three-time Olympic gold medallist could not produce the goods against Japan’s Maharu Yoshimura, fuelling concerns he is prioritising entertainment over sport.
Former world number one Zhang – whose ranking has dropped to 168 as of May this year – lost 4-2 despite rapturous super-fans hitting banners together at his every move at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Hang Seng Hong Kong Open in Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai.
“I haven’t played for a long time so my energy levels are probably worse,” said a dejected-looking Zhang. “I need to regain that feeling of playing matches in the first game.
The grand slam champion made his long-awaited comeback to the sport in November last year having spent months out with injuries and taking up regular guest roles on various Chinese television shows. He lost that match and subsequently took another break from the table.
“I don’t feel as confident or at ease as I used to but I think it will get better with each game,” added the 30-year-old before walking off, seemingly agitated at questions surrounding playing men’s singles for China.