Zhang-mania grips Wuxi

Zhang Jike's fans cheer on their hero during his men's singles semifinal against Fan Zhendong at the Wuxi Sports Center on April 16. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Within the world of table tennis, opinion has been divided over "the Zhang effect". Like David Beckham in soccer, the 29-year-old has transcended the sport and has made ping-pong fashionable to a whole new generation of young people. But doubts remain whether the new fans will stick around after the charismatic star announces his retirement.

"Table tennis was always a big, big sport in China, but what I see now is that young people are very interested. Though I'm not sure whether they are interested in the sport first of all or Zhang Jike!" joked Katya Brand, a veteran umpire serving as tournament evaluator in Wuxi.

Others, however, are more optimistic that support for Zhang will trickle down to the rest of China's table tennis team.

"Zhang Jike's fans have contributed a lot, because Zhang also brings fans to players like Xu Xin, Fan Zhendong and Lin Gaoyuan," said Rowan Wang, a professor at Singapore Management University who has been following the sport closely for decades.

"The fans at this tournament are the most passionate I have ever seen," added Wang. "I was shocked at how loud the fans were."

Many of Zhang's young fans also said following the celebrity paddler had helped them discover other players they liked.

"I was a Zhang Jike fan at first, but later I found out there are so many awesome players in his team. Considering Zhang has got enough fans already, I changed to become a fan of Lin Gaoyuan," said one young woman from Guangzhou watching the action at the Wuxi Sports Center on April 14.

The number of people who stayed to watch the men's singles final suggested that many shared her experience. There had been fears of a mass exodus after Zhang's semifinal defeat, but the stands remained packed right to the end as Fan claimed the title with a 3-0 victory over Jeong Sangeun of South Korea.

Though, of course, many of Zhang's fans made sure to get a selfie with their hero on the way out.

Edited by Dominic Morgan