The history and evolution of table tennis
The history of table tennis
Table tennis, a leisure activity and an Olympic sport since 1988, is also widely known as "ping-pong." Although excluded from official terminology, this name is very popular today. Its origin lies in an onomatopoeia derived from the sound of the ball, which appeared in 1884 in the Far East: "ping" for the sound of the ball hitting the racket and "pong" for the sound of the bounce on the table. Interested in the history of table tennis? Discover its development and democratization over time.
The origins of table tennis
Table tennis first appeared in England at the end of the 19th century. Inspired by lawn tennis, the first players belonged to Victorian middle-class society. The first game is said to have been played with a champagne cork as a ball, cigar boxes as rackets, and books for the net. At the time, table tennis was seen as a simple distraction for the wealthy classes. In 1890, Englishman David Foster, attracted by its great popularity, introduced the first game of tennis played on a table. In 1897, the first national championships were organized in Hungary. Following a trip to the United States in 1901, James Gibb brought back the first celluloid ball, which was much lighter than rubber balls. A year later, in 1902, E.C. Gould, a British enthusiast of the game, introduced the first rackets covered in rubber and rubberized pimples. The history of table tennis was well and truly underway!
The first table tennis tournaments
Following the success of the first public tournaments at London’s Queen’s Hall, the first official world championship took place in 1902. The discipline grew increasingly popular, and the British Table Tennis Federation was established. The first European Championships were subsequently organized in 1907. Everything accelerated in the 1920s. The Table Tennis Association was created in England in 1921, followed by the International Federation in 1926. World Championships were held between different countries in London in 1926, and the French Table Tennis Federation was founded in 1927. The French competed for the first time in Budapest in 1929. The history of table tennis has been marked by many champions, such as the Austro-British Richard Bergmann, the Franco-Polish Aloizy Ehrlich, and the Romanian Angelica Rozeanu.
The rise of table tennis in Asia
In the 1950s, table tennis became an integral discipline in Asian countries. The Japanese left their mark on the world team championships between 1954 and 1959. This dominance was reinforced by the introduction of foam, which transformed classic rackets. Japan produced several world champions such as Hiroji Sato and stood out with impressive results in 1956 in Tokyo. The 1960s marked the arrival of Chinese supremacy, including Zhuang Zedong, a triple world champion in 1961, 1963, and 1965. It was during this time that "ping-pong diplomacy" was developed, contributing to the improvement of Sino-American relations. In 1977, at the World Championships in Birmingham, the first high-toss service, also known as the "Chinese service," was used. Serving became a strategic element, whereas it had previously been seen as a simple way to start a point. Asia's place in the history of table tennis has been truly decisive in the progression of this international sport.
It was in this context of the democratization of table tennis that Cornilleau developed and manufactured its first ping-pong tables. The family business industrialized its expertise to meet the enthusiasm of the time and the growing demand.
Table tennis, the most practiced sport in the world
Table tennis has been an Olympic sport since 1988 in Seoul. The first gold medals were awarded to China's Chen Jing and Korea's Yoo Nam-kyu. The discipline has gradually become professionalized with the emergence of the Pro Tour in 1996. The sport has been dominated by Asian players since 1995, such as Wang Liqin, a triple world champion and world number 1 for many years. Today, table tennis is the most practiced sport in Asia. In Europe, table tennis features champions such as Belgium's Jean-Michel Saive, Germany's Timo Boll, and Denmark's Michael Maze. In 2016, Chinese players Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, Xu Xin, Zhang Jike, and Germany's Dimitrij Ovtcharov led the world rankings. In 2005, the number of players worldwide was estimated at over 260 million. The International Table Tennis Federation brings together more than 200 nations and 33 million licensed members. Competitions, club tournaments, and championships are organized worldwide. In June 2020, France had 201,548 licensed players. The history of table tennis is reflected today in a constantly evolving enthusiasm, marked by the many benefits of regular practice.
Table tennis equipment
Table tennis relies on simple equipment: a table, rackets, and balls. Indoor tables are preferred for light play inside. Outdoor tables, much more solid and resistant, are ideal for playing outside without the risk of damage. Cornilleau protective covers provide extra protection. For professionals, competition tables ensure unwavering sturdiness. Rackets with foam rubber and specialized coatings provide precision and control. Whether you are a beginner, advanced, or professional player, many ball models exist to suit every game.
The history of table tennis is rich in its evolutions. Today, as the most popular sport in the world, it continues to bring together players from all walks of life.