Zhang Jike & His Equipment

Zhang Jike is one of the three male players who hold the most major titles in table tennis history. He is the only one who won 5 major titles in a row in table tennis history.

Zhang Jike, Ma Long, Jan-Ove Waldner, Liu Guoliang, and Kong Linghui are five players who have completed all Grand Slams in their careers.

Zhang Jike Information:

• Native name: 张继科
• Nationality: China
• Born: February 16, 1988, Qingdao, Shandong, China
• Playing-style: Shakehand grip
• Highest Ranking: #1

Zhang Jike playing style

When Zhang Jike initially joined the national team, the coaches were apprehensive about his forehand technique and thought about changing it completely. But Xiao Zhan, the then personal coach of Zhang Jike, noticed the explosive technique of his forehand and backhand strokes and instead retained them. Zhang Jike’s spin oriented technique provides him oftentimes with a topspin advantage against opponents.

Zhang’s serves are unpredictable and quite deceptive. His most famous serve is probably the reverse-pendulum short serve into both corners of the table. The side-spin on the serve, together with his backhand flicks, above-average footwork and top-class anticipation has proved to be an ideal combination as he is capable to “open up” topspin rallies to his advantage.

It is noticeable that he would play with a backhand oriented game plan against big forehand loopers like Ma Long or Fan Zhendong. He would keep his opponents in their backhand corner and go for down-the-line blocking winners as the opposition steps around to use a forehand loop, or just pile up the pressure, resulting in bad shot selections and unforced errors by the opponent.

One of Zhang Jike’s most valuable asset is his mental strength. His ability to win big points in major competitions under pressure is apparent to observers.

In 2014, Zhang’s world ranking dropped to 5th as a result of consecutive early world tour exits and title drought. Head coach Liu Guoliang criticized him for his lack of focus and techniques development. However, Zhang managed to lead his hometown team, Shandong, to the 2014 Chinese Table Tennis Super League championship, and he won the World Cup again in October. His prize money, US$45,000, for winning the World Cup was taken as a fine as himself proposed for destroying the barriers in celebration. This fund will be used to set up the Fair Play Award.

Zhang Jike Highlights

Olympic Games

World Championships

World Cup

Asian Games

Asian Championships

Zhang Jike Equipment

Blade: Butterfly Viscaria FL

Forehand: DHS Hurricane 3 National (black)

DHS Hurricane 3 Table Tennis Rubber Sheet Ping Pong Rubber (Red, 2.15)

$32.99

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Backhand: Butterfly Tenergy 80 (Red)

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Butterfly Tenergy 80 FX Table Tennis Rubber Table Tennis Rubber - 1.7 mm, 1.9 mm, or 2.1 mm - Red or Black - 1 Inverted Table Tennis Rubber Sheet - Professional Table Tennis Rubber

• Tenergy 80 FX is the ideal balance between spin and speed, utilizing both High Tension and the softer FX Spring Sponge technologies
• Offering the same speed as Tenergy 25 with almost as much spin as Tenergy 05, all with a lower throw angle
• Tenergy 80 FX enables all-round topspin play and is especially well-suited for blocking and smashing
• Pairs well with the Balsa Carbo X5, Mizutani Jun Super ZLC, Timo Boll ALC, Viscaria, Innerforce Layer ZLC, and other Butterfly blades
• Butterfly Free Chack II table tennis glue recommended when assembling Tenergy table tennis rubbers

$69.99

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See also:

• Fan Zhendong & His Equipment
• Ma Lin & His Equipment
• Wang Hao & His Equipment

Brixton Johansson

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