While official channels maintain that Fan Zhendong's decision to withdraw was voluntary and for personal reasons, many fans suspect more complex underlying issues, including internal pressure or conflicts with the management system.

On 8/4, the Chinese Table Tennis Association announced the roster for the tournament. Fan Zhendong, the National Games champion and a key player, was notably absent. The announcement stated that the 29-year-old player voluntarily withdrew despite being eligible for direct selection. This concise explanation quickly fueled controversy.

Chinese player Fan Zhendong celebrates after defeating Truls Moregard to win Olympic gold at South Paris Arena 4, Paris, France, on 4/8/2024. *Photo: Reuters*

Chinese news outlets, including Jimu News and The Paper, urged the public to avoid speculation. One commentary contended that conspiracy theories lacked basis, asserting that the withdrawal was simply the choice of an athlete who had reached his peak and required time for adjustment. This perspective suggested that Fan continued to perform well in international tournaments, and the coaching staff desired his continued participation, thus ruling out any notion of him falling out of favor.

However, in the comment section of Sina, fan reactions diverged. Many suggested that the term "voluntary" was merely a formality. The account Tsai Ya-chi’s Criminal Law commented, "Fan Zhendong voluntarily withdrew from competition? That sounds like 'I voluntarily confess and accept punishment,' but what is the reality?"

Other comments went further, questioning the relationship between Fan Zhendong and the national team. The account Micky comes from the Land of Light wrote, "After the 2024 Olympics, the champion did not want excessive commitments, while leadership needed him to build the team. The two sides did not align, leading to an awkward parting."

Some comments focused on psychological factors and the competitive environment. The account Hehe Xuan stated, "The last time Fan withdrew, everyone supported him, understanding it was external pressure. This time is no different."

Fan Zhendong's best plays from the 2025-2026 season.

Fan is the reigning Olympic men's singles table tennis champion and was the world number one until he withdrew from the world rankings at the end of 2024. He explained then that he did not want to be constrained by participating in numerous tournaments to maintain a ranking. He primarily competes in Europe now, but fans still consider him China's top player due to his National Sports Games gold medal.

Another line of argument suggests Fan is "being bullied within the sports environment." They linked his situation to controversies surrounding diver Quan Hongchan, who faced prolonged cyberattacks, primarily criticizing her appearance and weight. This caused her immense pressure, leading her to consider retirement after the 2024 Olympics. Chinese authorities investigated, identifying it as toxic behavior stemming from an overzealous fan culture.

Conversely, some opinions called for a simpler view of the situation. The account Wenwenxue wrote, "Immediately after the Olympics, Fan stated his future extended beyond table tennis. His absence from the national team now is not a surprise."

The 2026 World Team Table Tennis Championships will be held in London, United Kingdom, from 28/4 to 10/5. The event will feature 64 men's teams and 64 women's teams. China has won both categories consecutively since 2012.

By Xuan Binh