Tennis table, also known as ping pong, is a sport played on a table using a racket and a small ball. It can be played by two people in singles or four people in doubles. It is a popular sport due to its easy-to-understand rules and simple gameplay. Players hit the ball across the table divided by a net to score points by making the ball unreturnable by the opponent.
To play table tennis, players need a table, net, two rackets, and a small ball. The standard table size is 2.74 meters long, 1.525 meters wide, and 76 cm high. The ball used in table tennis is made of cellulose material and has a diameter of 28.2 – 37.2 millimeters and weighs about 2.4 grams. The rackets are usually made of wood with rubber covering the hitting surface.
The game starts with a serve, and players take turns hitting the ball. The opponent must return the ball before it bounces twice on their side of the table. Points are scored when the opponent fails to return the ball correctly.
Table tennis is usually played in a best-of-five or best-of-seven set format, with each set won by the first player to reach 11 points, with a minimum lead of 2 points required. Players use forehand and backhand techniques to hit the ball and can add spin to make it more challenging for the opponent.
Using a variety of speeds and spins, as well as targeting weak areas on the opponent’s side of the table, is crucial for winning the game. Table tennis requires not only speed and accuracy but also strategy and concentration. With practice and good techniques, players can improve their skills and enjoy the game to the fullest.
Table tennis originated in England during the 1880s and was initially played with a small rubber ball, known as miniature tennis. It was considered entertainment for the elite Victorian society. The modern table tennis game evolved after the introduction of the celluloid ball by James Gibb.
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) was founded in London in 1926, and the first World Table Tennis Championships were held a year later. Table tennis was recognized as an Olympic sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
In Indonesia, table tennis is a popular sport, and the Indonesian Table Tennis Association (PTMSI) oversees the sport in the country.
(Written by: M. Hilal Eka Saputra Harahap)
