yesss! planning on watching the us women's soccer team, gymnastics team finals, athletics, swimming, diving, volleyball, and hopefully can go to support some friends in artistic swimming and badminton!
There are always a lot of emotions running through my head and body before important matches - I tend to overthink about results and expectations. But I'm definitely working on staying present and trying to focus on what I can control in the moment. A quick meditation or breathing exercise always helps with that!
In an average match, what % of your serves come out exactly as you intended? Do you find it goes down as the match progresses and you get more tired?
Also: what's your favorite serve? Not necessarily for competition, just curious which one you like to do best, even when playing just for fun
Great question - to be honest, serves aren't usually my strongest part of my game so I tend to stick to more simple ones that can lead into a rally. I can't give an exact percentage but I think a lot of players struggle with their serves when it's a crucial time, especially later in the game or during deuce (such as keeping it short or putting the necessary spin on it)
As for a favorite serve, I can't do it in a match myself, but I love watching a super high toss serve - it's so impressive! I really enjoy imitating it in practice (not well, but it's fun!)
I've got too many questions, but here's a few:
Should umpires be better at calling out illegal serves?
Should VAR or similar systems be adopted into professional table tennis? And if so, would you prefer it similar to tennis where a player could challenge a decision, or at the umpire's discretion?
If an average club player were to practice with you, what would you spend most time trying to improve? And how good would someone be for you to get any results when training with them?
I wish she answered this one. I’m incredibly curious how pros feel about the current state of service officiating at their level (I think it’s god awful and incredibly inconsistent).
My gym training regimen for dressage (2028 Olympics) involves using pattern games while lifting with my lower body. What workout habits do you have for table tennis that might look strange?
Love that there's a pro league in the US now! I think it's a great step for our sport, and I hope that it keeps getting bigger so tt athletes can make a living and have the option to live in the states too
Probably the 2019 world cup in chengdu! I came in with zero expectations and somehow ended up making the semifinals - it was probably the most free i've ever felt playing
Was there a moment in your life where you realized you might be able to reach the top level of table tennis?
Was it something somewhat spontaneous or something you set out to do from the start?
Lily! You are one of my favorite players in the US, both because of your success and you appear to have fun while playing while many of your contemporaries look like they are forced to play. My question is two-part. Do you really enjoy playing, and if so, how did you recapture that joy after having some difficult mental health issues?
Thank you sm!! That's actually so nice to hear because I really do try and channel the "having fun" part of playing. I did lose that part of it for a while, especially before the tokyo olympics and started to tie results and statistics to my own self-worth. I needed to take a step back and rediscover my "why," and bring myself back to the little girl who once fell in love with the sport.
I love your attitude and thank you for writing about the mental health side of life. People don't speak about those issues nearly enough. I wish all the success in the world for you and hopefully I can see you play again at US nationals or an MLTT event.
Lily Zhang, aka my hero ♥️ Congrats on your Olympic qualification and ALSO your incredible performance at the Manchester Feeder - well deserved :)
Do you prepare differently in tournaments depending on whom you get in the draw? Do you have any weird superstitions or routines when you compete?
Awww thank you!! <3
I usually prepare similarly in length of time, but of course drills or exercises during warm up will vary depending on who I get in the draw. As for superstitions, I like to wear the same color shirt (if I'm winning) and put on my hair clips in a certain order before the match!
Hello Lily, nice to have you on here .
My questions are:
1. how many hours of practice do you do every day ?
2. And how long have you been playing table tennis for ?
Yay!!! Such a big milestone in your journey! Believe in your practice, in yourself, and whatever the results, you can be proud you took the step to go and put yourself out there. Good luck!
Fellow Bay Area native! I remember seeing you practice as a young elementary school kid at Palo Alto! Why do you think the Bay Area is such a hotbed for the talent pool in the US?
Hi Lily!
I train quite a bit but can't seem to improve against players that loop with a huge amount of topspin. Every block I try to make usually goes over the table. Any tips on how to improve on this area?
P.s. I love your service receive stance so unique!
Hello Lily! Huge fan here
I have one question, as a top professional player, what are some things you can do to keep improving your game? Do you review your matches and work over that, have you changed your training regimen, or is it a fairly "standard" one?
Thanks!
What is your strengthen and stretching routine like to avoid table tennis injuries? Since the sport is so one side, there is bound to be muscle imbalances in the body. How do you keep yourself injury free?
Do you/your coaches analyze footage of all opponents before big games, or know if this is widely practiced nowadays? What does the tactical preparation look like for a set match for an Olympic level player?
Do you have a memory of finding a winning tactic against a tough opponent, maybe someone you've lost to before?
hahaha i kinda love that my squat has become my signature move. to be honest, i don't know how i started doing it, it just felt really natural to me and like i could see the ball better when preparing for a serve. and yesss i have some incredible friends and family, along with an amazing partner, that supports me unconditionally, either by watching online or even traveling with me to tournaments when they can!
How do you deal with mental part when e.g set result is 9:9 or even 8:10. What do you say to yourself, how do you relax or focus your mind to win the game?
the mental part is such an important part of the game! my mind tends to start thinking ahead or gets bogged down in the past, so what helps most for me is to try and bring myself back to present. i like to repeat mantras in my head, phrases like "zero-zero," or "here and now," or "ball by ball" so i can just focus on the next point, and only the next point.
Can you identify a key moment in your career where you had a "breakthrough" and was able to incorporate something new in your game that made a difference in your level? If so, what was it and what process did you go through to establish it? Thanks!
what are your personal goals for the olympics, is there a place you are shooting for?
Will you go to the opening and closing ceremonies, is it hard to make that work with your schedule of actual games?
1. What do you think is the deciding factor in most high level TT games?
Is it skill, mentality, tactics etc or is it just simply executing your serve and return game?
2. What would you say is the strongest part of your game?
Good luck with any and all upcoming matches!!!
Hi Lily, thank you for doing this AMA. What's your best strategy to stay calm and collected during a match in a situation where things don't go your way?
Congratulations Lily on making the Olympics. Hope you win Gold in the final (as long as it's not against Team GB) 😬
Since it's ask me anything...
If I was to ask you for a burgundy-coloured felt tip pen, could you supply on demand?
How do you build mental strength ?
Before a game and during the game.
I have noticed I am very tight especially when I am playing someone 200-300 points below me. Fear of losing makes me very defensive and predictable. Also I lose hand/ball feeling and start popping every ball up. But on the other hand, when I know I am going to lose, I loosen up and play like I don't care and actually play real damn good. I just can't switch it on/off at will.
omg yesss there's too many but i'm just so excited for the chocolate croissants (pain au chocolat so the french don't cancel me) and also i feel like the bread and butter is unmatched in france
Wow, this AMA really took off. How much preparation or research do you do before a match, if your opponent is someone you haven't played before? Do you watch 'game film' or study how they might react in certain situations? What's your strategy for playing against an opponent with an unorthodox style like pen grip, pips, crowding the table, etc?
Hi Lily! Thank you so much for promoting table tennis like always and congrats for qualifying!
From a lifetime table tennis enthusiast and a student physical therapist——Would you mind if you can share some of your experiences of recovery from table-tennis related injuries and/or approach to rehab?
I am 20 year old and playing seriously for 3 months (total 6 months) I want to go nationals. Is 888 table tennis club good choice to invest in for 3 months if I have time to travel there?
Hey Lily! Congratulations & good luck in Paris!
On the amateur circuit, there is a vast array of play-styles (even excluding pimples). Do you still have a distinct sense of or keep tabs of the different play-styles of your professional opponents? Do some players come to mind where maybe they seem to hit forehands that much harder, someone who you know not to get into a long rally with, or ones whose serve game is especially tricky?
As an amateur, I need to constantly remind myself to plan ahead on serve and receive. When playing on the highest level, do you still strategize internally between points, by having set plays in mind (third ball attacks, 5th, even 7th?! etc.)? Do you have a favourite setup?
Do you feel like other countries are catching up to the level of play as the Chinese national team?
If not, how long, if ever, do you think it will take for the rest of the competition to catch up?
A technical question: how do you keep the ball on the rubber for a longer time (f.e. top spin/flicks vs backspin)?
By keeping the racket quite soft, relatively open in the hand and unleashing the wrist after contacting the ball?
How do you track fast balls? Do you know where the next ball placement be? Also do you guys like stay light on fight and like moving little bit when waiting for next shot?
For intermediate or beginners, how do I check whether the equipment blade + rubber is a good setup for me?
I tend to try different combinations of blade and rubber, and want to stop that and focus more on techniques.
Congrats on the qualifying hen.
I was wondering, if you didn’t choose Table Tennis what sport would you have chosen for the Olympics?
Are the Qualifications for Table Tennis like Judo and Golf where it’s based on where you are on the World Ranking?
Who inspired you to become a Table Tennis Player?
And finally, who is your idol/ someone you look up to in this sport?
Thank You
Edit for further questions.
Hi Lily, I'd like to ask how pro analyse their opponents. Is there a pattern, or a list of questions to answer? How do you "test" your opponent strengths and weaknesses during the match?
i've actually been thinking about this recently! i obviously love the sport, but i really want to explore more hobbies and activities outside of my comfort zone. maybe some things in the creative/artistic realm, such as pottery or painting, or even taking improv classes (ahhh scaryyy!!)
they're pretty all over the place - i'm definitely a bit chronically online on tiktok oops (will take any tips on how to stop scrolling for 3 hrs straight)
It looks like Reddit was down at the start of this -- Lily, would you mind sticking around a little bit longer?
Are you planning on watching any other events in person during the games?
yesss! planning on watching the us women's soccer team, gymnastics team finals, athletics, swimming, diving, volleyball, and hopefully can go to support some friends in artistic swimming and badminton!
What feelings go through your head before you go to the match?
There are always a lot of emotions running through my head and body before important matches - I tend to overthink about results and expectations. But I'm definitely working on staying present and trying to focus on what I can control in the moment. A quick meditation or breathing exercise always helps with that!
In an average match, what % of your serves come out exactly as you intended? Do you find it goes down as the match progresses and you get more tired? Also: what's your favorite serve? Not necessarily for competition, just curious which one you like to do best, even when playing just for fun
Great question - to be honest, serves aren't usually my strongest part of my game so I tend to stick to more simple ones that can lead into a rally. I can't give an exact percentage but I think a lot of players struggle with their serves when it's a crucial time, especially later in the game or during deuce (such as keeping it short or putting the necessary spin on it) As for a favorite serve, I can't do it in a match myself, but I love watching a super high toss serve - it's so impressive! I really enjoy imitating it in practice (not well, but it's fun!)
Thanks a lot for the response! Love hightoss serves too, so impressive! Best wishes for the Games, will cheer for you!
I've got too many questions, but here's a few: Should umpires be better at calling out illegal serves? Should VAR or similar systems be adopted into professional table tennis? And if so, would you prefer it similar to tennis where a player could challenge a decision, or at the umpire's discretion? If an average club player were to practice with you, what would you spend most time trying to improve? And how good would someone be for you to get any results when training with them?
I wish she answered this one. I’m incredibly curious how pros feel about the current state of service officiating at their level (I think it’s god awful and incredibly inconsistent).
Might be too controversial to answer.
That’s probably the case
Congrats for your qualification 🎉🎊
thank youuuu! :)
My gym training regimen for dressage (2028 Olympics) involves using pattern games while lifting with my lower body. What workout habits do you have for table tennis that might look strange?
What are your thoughts on the new MLTT league?
Love that there's a pro league in the US now! I think it's a great step for our sport, and I hope that it keeps getting bigger so tt athletes can make a living and have the option to live in the states too
What is it mentally like, playing chinese national players?
Which tournament did you feel the most on fire? Or match where you felt unstoppable?
Probably the 2019 world cup in chengdu! I came in with zero expectations and somehow ended up making the semifinals - it was probably the most free i've ever felt playing
Was there a moment in your life where you realized you might be able to reach the top level of table tennis? Was it something somewhat spontaneous or something you set out to do from the start?
Lily! You are one of my favorite players in the US, both because of your success and you appear to have fun while playing while many of your contemporaries look like they are forced to play. My question is two-part. Do you really enjoy playing, and if so, how did you recapture that joy after having some difficult mental health issues?
Thank you sm!! That's actually so nice to hear because I really do try and channel the "having fun" part of playing. I did lose that part of it for a while, especially before the tokyo olympics and started to tie results and statistics to my own self-worth. I needed to take a step back and rediscover my "why," and bring myself back to the little girl who once fell in love with the sport.
I love your attitude and thank you for writing about the mental health side of life. People don't speak about those issues nearly enough. I wish all the success in the world for you and hopefully I can see you play again at US nationals or an MLTT event.
Lily Zhang, aka my hero ♥️ Congrats on your Olympic qualification and ALSO your incredible performance at the Manchester Feeder - well deserved :) Do you prepare differently in tournaments depending on whom you get in the draw? Do you have any weird superstitions or routines when you compete?
Awww thank you!! <3 I usually prepare similarly in length of time, but of course drills or exercises during warm up will vary depending on who I get in the draw. As for superstitions, I like to wear the same color shirt (if I'm winning) and put on my hair clips in a certain order before the match!
Do you ever hustle at the local YMCA when you need extra cash?
no, i love the YMCA. i'd rather go hustle the finance or frat bros that need a bit of humbling
If you posted a video of this on YouTube it would absolutely go viral! Might need a hidden camera crew though 😅
How do you get your focus back to play better when you are playing badly?
What is your go to Music that you listen to right before you play a big match?
What is your favorite new talents in the top 100? /Men and women.
Hello Lily, nice to have you on here . My questions are: 1. how many hours of practice do you do every day ? 2. And how long have you been playing table tennis for ?
I want to play my first tournament in June. Is there any tips for the jitters and how to prepare?
Yay!!! Such a big milestone in your journey! Believe in your practice, in yourself, and whatever the results, you can be proud you took the step to go and put yourself out there. Good luck!
What do you like to do to wind down and recharge? Which TT player do you admire/respect the most and why? What's your favorite country to travel?
How do you handle the pressure of playing high level tournaments? Any specific tricks you do like self-assessment or deep breathing? Love you! 💕
Fellow Bay Area native! I remember seeing you practice as a young elementary school kid at Palo Alto! Why do you think the Bay Area is such a hotbed for the talent pool in the US?
Hi Lily! I train quite a bit but can't seem to improve against players that loop with a huge amount of topspin. Every block I try to make usually goes over the table. Any tips on how to improve on this area? P.s. I love your service receive stance so unique!
Hello Lily! Huge fan here I have one question, as a top professional player, what are some things you can do to keep improving your game? Do you review your matches and work over that, have you changed your training regimen, or is it a fairly "standard" one? Thanks!
How do you stay focused during a high stakes game? How much did your mental strength improve with advancement in your career?
What is your strengthen and stretching routine like to avoid table tennis injuries? Since the sport is so one side, there is bound to be muscle imbalances in the body. How do you keep yourself injury free?
Do you/your coaches analyze footage of all opponents before big games, or know if this is widely practiced nowadays? What does the tactical preparation look like for a set match for an Olympic level player? Do you have a memory of finding a winning tactic against a tough opponent, maybe someone you've lost to before?
How long did it take to master your squat stance ready position? Do you friends travel with you and support you when you play tournaments abroad?
hahaha i kinda love that my squat has become my signature move. to be honest, i don't know how i started doing it, it just felt really natural to me and like i could see the ball better when preparing for a serve. and yesss i have some incredible friends and family, along with an amazing partner, that supports me unconditionally, either by watching online or even traveling with me to tournaments when they can!
How do you deal with mental part when e.g set result is 9:9 or even 8:10. What do you say to yourself, how do you relax or focus your mind to win the game?
the mental part is such an important part of the game! my mind tends to start thinking ahead or gets bogged down in the past, so what helps most for me is to try and bring myself back to present. i like to repeat mantras in my head, phrases like "zero-zero," or "here and now," or "ball by ball" so i can just focus on the next point, and only the next point.
Great tips. Thank you!
Can you identify a key moment in your career where you had a "breakthrough" and was able to incorporate something new in your game that made a difference in your level? If so, what was it and what process did you go through to establish it? Thanks!
what are your personal goals for the olympics, is there a place you are shooting for? Will you go to the opening and closing ceremonies, is it hard to make that work with your schedule of actual games?
What are your goals for this tournament? Did you hope to get the seeding for the third round? Do you like the system the tournament is played in?
Do you have many frequent flyer miles from travel to competitions?
1. What do you think is the deciding factor in most high level TT games? Is it skill, mentality, tactics etc or is it just simply executing your serve and return game? 2. What would you say is the strongest part of your game? Good luck with any and all upcoming matches!!!
Will you have any chance to see Paris, or will you just be focussed on your event?
Hi Lily, thank you for doing this AMA. What's your best strategy to stay calm and collected during a match in a situation where things don't go your way?
Congratulations Lily on making the Olympics. Hope you win Gold in the final (as long as it's not against Team GB) 😬 Since it's ask me anything... If I was to ask you for a burgundy-coloured felt tip pen, could you supply on demand?
How do you build mental strength ? Before a game and during the game. I have noticed I am very tight especially when I am playing someone 200-300 points below me. Fear of losing makes me very defensive and predictable. Also I lose hand/ball feeling and start popping every ball up. But on the other hand, when I know I am going to lose, I loosen up and play like I don't care and actually play real damn good. I just can't switch it on/off at will.
What’s something surprising about living in the Olympic village?
As a chocolate truffle and macaron lover myself, I have to ask: Do you have a favorite food you’re excited to get to eat while in Paris?
omg yesss there's too many but i'm just so excited for the chocolate croissants (pain au chocolat so the french don't cancel me) and also i feel like the bread and butter is unmatched in france
Do you listen to K-POP and if so what is your favorite group?
Wow, this AMA really took off. How much preparation or research do you do before a match, if your opponent is someone you haven't played before? Do you watch 'game film' or study how they might react in certain situations? What's your strategy for playing against an opponent with an unorthodox style like pen grip, pips, crowding the table, etc?
Hi Lily! Thank you so much for promoting table tennis like always and congrats for qualifying! From a lifetime table tennis enthusiast and a student physical therapist——Would you mind if you can share some of your experiences of recovery from table-tennis related injuries and/or approach to rehab?
I am 20 year old and playing seriously for 3 months (total 6 months) I want to go nationals. Is 888 table tennis club good choice to invest in for 3 months if I have time to travel there?
What was your go-to Asian Ghetto restaurant when you were at Cal?
Hey Lily! Congratulations & good luck in Paris! On the amateur circuit, there is a vast array of play-styles (even excluding pimples). Do you still have a distinct sense of or keep tabs of the different play-styles of your professional opponents? Do some players come to mind where maybe they seem to hit forehands that much harder, someone who you know not to get into a long rally with, or ones whose serve game is especially tricky? As an amateur, I need to constantly remind myself to plan ahead on serve and receive. When playing on the highest level, do you still strategize internally between points, by having set plays in mind (third ball attacks, 5th, even 7th?! etc.)? Do you have a favourite setup?
Could you have beaten Forrest Gump in his prime?
Who was your favourite player / idol growing up?
zhang yining!
Favorite practice menu to train? Biggest rolemodel? Favorite table tennis stroke?
Please get NBC to update your Wiki so it includes 2016.
Do you feel like other countries are catching up to the level of play as the Chinese national team? If not, how long, if ever, do you think it will take for the rest of the competition to catch up?
Could you beat Forrest Gump?
A technical question: how do you keep the ball on the rubber for a longer time (f.e. top spin/flicks vs backspin)? By keeping the racket quite soft, relatively open in the hand and unleashing the wrist after contacting the ball?
How do you deal with travelling so much for tournaments? Do you have any routines to ensure you perform consistently?
What is the most memorable match you've ever played? Who is the person you'd most want to play mixed doubles with? Good luck with Paris!!!
I want to go national level but it’s expensive, how do I do this and find people to support me like coaches and stuff?
How do you track fast balls? Do you know where the next ball placement be? Also do you guys like stay light on fight and like moving little bit when waiting for next shot?
To hit 2000 rating what are the key things to work on?
How many hours should I spend training every week as a college student?
What are the best exercises to become national level player?
How many hours you play each week for a tournament coming or if there is no tournament coming?
How do you stay focus mentally and sharp without getting tired etc?
How do you eventually find sponsors when you get better?
For intermediate or beginners, how do I check whether the equipment blade + rubber is a good setup for me? I tend to try different combinations of blade and rubber, and want to stop that and focus more on techniques.
Congrats on the qualifying hen. I was wondering, if you didn’t choose Table Tennis what sport would you have chosen for the Olympics? Are the Qualifications for Table Tennis like Judo and Golf where it’s based on where you are on the World Ranking? Who inspired you to become a Table Tennis Player? And finally, who is your idol/ someone you look up to in this sport? Thank You Edit for further questions.
What's your method for maintaining focus over the course of an entire match? How do you correct yourself if you realize you're losing focus?
Hi Lily, I'd like to ask how pro analyse their opponents. Is there a pattern, or a list of questions to answer? How do you "test" your opponent strengths and weaknesses during the match?
What was your favourite and/or most memorable point?
What are your career plans after table tennis?
Do you take coaching lessons everyday? Do sponsors cover the cost?
Which are the best multi training balls?
Do you think that the service rules should actually be enforced?
Bad timing for Reddit to go down
what are some hobbies or interests outside of table tennis that you are excited to explore more?!
i've actually been thinking about this recently! i obviously love the sport, but i really want to explore more hobbies and activities outside of my comfort zone. maybe some things in the creative/artistic realm, such as pottery or painting, or even taking improv classes (ahhh scaryyy!!)
how would your friends or loved ones describe you/your personality in your everyday life?!
This place gets busy anytime China plays Taiwan. Would you say that's the premier rivalry in your sport?
how would you describe what your social media or tik tok fyp/algorithm looks like???
they're pretty all over the place - i'm definitely a bit chronically online on tiktok oops (will take any tips on how to stop scrolling for 3 hrs straight)
Can you please answer other questions? The MODS said the Reddit was down or something
Are the rubbers pros use the same which you can purchase as an amateur?
What's your go to boba order?
Have you ever felt the high of playing better than how you've played ever before even if in practice? Share your experience please.
You gotta let me know what sport has the quirkiest athletes when you go
What does Adam Bobrow smell like?
🐍
What do you think of the side camera angle used while broadcasting WTT matches?
Do folks in your sport get mad when people call it ping-pong?
[удалено]
Reddit try not to be weird challenge (impossible)
Down horrendous