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Ping Pong

This show is the selected drama by NRTA

in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the PRC,

and was funded under the 2019 Art Creation of Hubei.

Episode 1

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance is purely coincidental.

Competition outside the arena. Life inside the arena.

2015, the finals of 53th Suzhou World Ping-Pong Tournament

All right, fellow friends.

You're watching

the finals of

53th Suzhou World Ping-Pong Tournament.

The players are China national team captain Xu Tan,

and the genius player who won the Grand Slam

in the shortest time, Yu Ke Nan.

Xu Tan, Beijing team player Yu Ke Nan, Shanghai team player

This tournament

not only will determine

who is the strongest in this world,

the winner will also be eligible

to join

the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

2015 Suzhou World Ping-Pong Men's Singles Final

For the last games,

Xu Tan has been attacking

Yu Ke Nan's backhand position.

And the match is getting interesting.

He knows the strengths and weaknesses

of every single one of his teammates

and opponents.

Yu Ke Nan's signature reverse serve.

Xu Tan's backhand flick.

He made it!

A backhand loop!

A forehand loop at the sideline!

Again!

Nice one! One more point for him!

Nice shot!

Nice shot!

What a nice shot!

Okay, Xu Tan did a backhand drive.

A forehand drive. Xu Tan did a forehand Falkenberg drill!

A netball!

Nice one! That's a lucky shot!

Yu Ke Nan suddenly did a back straight.

Xu Tan obviously

didn't see that coming.

Push!

Another push!

A lob!

Here comes a chance for Yu Ke Nan!

Smash shot!

Xu Tan hit the ball back!

Fang Yue, first national team Xu Tan's coach

Awesome!

Nice shot!

Okay, Yu Ke Nan did a backspin serve.

Xu Tan spun the ball.

A backhand spin!

Another backhand spin!

Another backhand spin!

Under the impossible circumstance,

Xu Tan has toughly won the fifth game.

Xu Tan has probably got

his strategy all planned out.

He truly lives up to his nickname

"National Ping-Pong Diviner".

He's a smart player indeed.

His high IQ and preparedness,

as well as his knowledge about Yu Ke Nan

are all memorable.

And with his shoulder injury,

Lei Cheng, Xu Tan's ex-coach Teng Biao, national team, Yu Ke Nan's coach

Yu Ke Nan switched to using forehand technique.

He's been dispirited

ever since he changed his playing style.

Xu Tan's got it

all planned out, right?

Nobody knows Yu Ke Nan.

But Xu Tan is different.

He knows Yu Ke Nan the best.

Such an arrangement.

Such a thought.

What a pupil you got there.

Table tennis and chess work in the same way.

Mistakes come from a misstep.

You can't complain about your opponent's victory.

Because he worked harder than you.

Glorious Ping-Pong!

Mr Han.

Judging from the data from these years,

both Xu Tan and Yu Ke Nan are national teammates.

But this ping-pong duo

has never had a match

in a tournament.

Both of them have tried hard

to avoid each other.

What really happened

between them?

That leaves the fans

guessing for all these years.

Okay, the players entered the arena.

And we're now having the sixth game.

Yu Ke Nan is leading for now 3-2.

Okay, a backspin serve.

A forehand drop short. A back straight.

Another backhand drive!

A big forehand loop out of the blue!

One point for Yu Ke Nan.

Yu Ge, Yu Ke Nan's father

Okay, Yu Ke Nan served the ball.

Xu Tan remains using the forehand drop short.

A forehand drive from Yu Ke Nan!

Okay, after the last game

in which he's had a strong match

with Yu Ke Nan,

Xu Tan's performance in this game

is pretty surprising.

We notice that

there seems to be something wrong

with Xu Tan's knee.

It's probably

a relapse.

Xu Tan's knee

has indeed affected his performance.

If Yu Ke Nan manages to

win this game,

then the tournament is going to end soon.

And Yu Ke Nan will win it

third time in a row.

For now, it's a tie 9-9.

Okay, Xu Tan served the ball.

A drop short from Yu Ke Nan.

Xu Tan managed to predict

Yu Ke Nan's position to return the ball!

A lightning flick! One point for him!

Nice one!

It's 10-9.

Xu Tan got the game point lead.

According to several coaches,

Xu Tan has never defeated Yu Ke Nan

in any training match.

Can Xu Tan create history tonight

on the grandest stage of

International Ping-Pong Tournament?

All right, Xu Tan served the ball.

Yu Ke Nan did a forehand cross-court.

Xu Tan saw that coming and did a forehand loop.

Another a forehand cross-court from Yu Ke Nan!

Xu Tan saved it with a Falkenberg drill. Another cross-court!

Yu Ke Nan did another forehand cross-court!

Xu Tan saved it again!

But Yu Ke Nan suddenly did a backhand drive!

Xu Tan!

His knee is seriously injured.

If he gets injured again in a competition,

it's the end of his career.

Application Form for Retirement

Xu Tan.

Now you must listen to me.

You need to retire from it.

Do you know how serious your knee injury is?

The spray won't solve the problem.

Even if you get back to the game,

you can't defeat Yu Ke Nan.

I want to play it.

Stop competing with him!

Xu Yan, can you face the reality?

Don't put your future at risk!

Xu Tan, are you stupid?

Xu Tan, we're going to retire from it.

Go back and get a good rest.

You can keep playing in the future.

We can go to the Olympic Games.

We can go to the World Cup.

You can get a Grand Slam!

You can even win

the next World Ping-Pong Tournament!

Fellow friends,

you're watching

the seventh game of World Ping-Pong Tournament Men's Singles Final.

Xu Tan has applied for a ten-minute medical suspension.

After ten minutes,

will he appear on the arena again?

I think that's

what you all

are concerned about the most.

Lei.

It's over.

Also, the match

has come to this stage,

where it's a marathon

in which the athletes have hit the wall

after running for 35 kilometers.

Physical limit. Injury problem.

And whether one's belief is firm or not,

that is the key.

Yes, this is a very normal situation.

Everyone makes mistakes. Regret is inevitable.

Fellow friends,

the medical suspension is ending soon.

If Xu Tan can't make it back to the arena

before the suspension ends,

according to the competition rules, the organising committee

will assume that he retires automatically

and announce the victory of Yu Ke Nan.

All right, fellow friends.

We just received a message.

Xu Tan's coach, Fang Yue,

has applied from the organising committee a retirement form.

I'm wondering if Xu Tan

would choose to retire from this tournament,

and quit this official match

between him and Yu Ke Nan, which has been anticipated for ten years.

Xu Tan, we're going to retire from it.

You can keep playing in the future.

We can go to the Olympic Games.

We can go to the World Cup.

You can get a Grand Slam!

You can even win

the next World Ping-Pong Tournament!

I don't care.

You don't even care about Grand Slam!

Why are you playing ping-pong?

Because I like it.

I like it very much.

Ten Years Ago

2004, Beijing Ping-Pong Training Center

2004.

I, Xu Tan.

Sixteen years old.

A member of Beijing Ping-Pong Training Team

In the past,

ping-pong has always been my only one.

But I didn't know

what was going to happen.

Because

I was always the loser

in the team.

Xu Tan VS Su Chang

10-0.

Xu Tan, what do you mumble about

whenever you play?

Don't you know that?

Su Shun, third seeded player Lu Xiao Bei, Beijing team player

I can hear it clearly from there.

He says,

"Bro Chang, I beg you."

"Let me win a point."

Cut it out.

Everyone has different playing styles.

Some people are good at forehand strokes.

Some are good at backhand strokes.

Some are strong.

Su Chang Top seeded player in Beijing team

And some

just think too much.

Excuse me.

You don't think too much.

You are weak indeed.

Let's go.

Tan Tan, quickly fill in the form.

Application Form for Leaving Beijing Ping-Pong Training Team

You don't need the notebook anymore, right?

I'll throw it away, okay?

Mom, let me keep it.

What for? It will just affect your study.

Xu Zhan Kun, Xu Tan's father

Stop talking already.

He's been playing for years after all.

Even though he doesn't need it anymore, why can't he keep it?

The first world championship of Tan Tan

Mom.

Lin Di, Xu Tan's mother

Can I give it another thought?

Again?

Yes.

Tan Tan, I know you're upset.

Every year,

there are millions of children in our country

who learn to play ping-pong.

They start to train at the age of eight.

And every year, only more than 700 people

make it to the provincial teams.

Only more than 30 people

can make it to the second national team.

And only more than 20 people can make it to the first national team.

Do you know the probability of

becoming a champion?

It's one in fifteen million.

But you need to know that,

if you don't manage to become one,

you will become that denominator.

If you can answer

my next question,

you don't need to quit the team, okay?

Are you that one in fifteen million?

If you can't answer my question,

sign it, then.

Enough, stop forcing him already.

Application Form for Leaving Beijing Ping-Pong Training Team

I heard the name list for regional training is out.

It's out?

Let's go check it out.

Let's go.

Well-connected boy, where are you going?

Let's go, Lu Xiao Bei. We're going to see the result.

What's there to see?

There are only three places.

Who else could it be but us?

Exactly.

I'm telling you.

Here's the thing.

When it comes to regional training,

besides the training results of the trainee,

we also need to

take his potential into account.

This year, only Mr Lei

is qualified to recommend trainees.

But he's recommended one.

The quota is full.

Fine, I'll ask him.

Application Form for Leaving Beijing Ping-Pong Training Team

Wait, how can he be the third one?

Isn't it ranked based on the results?

He managed to make it with his lousy performance.

How strange.

Isn't it ranked based on the results?

Who should we go to?

Su Shun.

Who do you think you are?

How could you do such a thing?

It's all because Mr Lei's got your back!

What are you doing, Su Shun?

I, Xu Tan, apply to leave the Beijing team

and go back to Liaoning for high school.

Wait, Xu Tan.

Since you're leaving the team,

why are you taking up the quota for regional training?

It's such a waste.

The first world championship of Tan Tan.

Wait, Xu Tan.

You're too lousy to be a world champion.

He can be a world loser, right?

Lu Xiao Bei, what are you doing here?

Have you forgotten those smashes I got you?

Smashes?

Wait, who's the one who got the smashes?

I was no match for both of them.

But I managed to hit you with the smashes.

Have you forgotten how I hit you with those smashes?

I'm telling you.

Who do you want to hit?

Bring it on!

Go ahead! Let's do it here!

What are you waiting for? Run!

Notice

Su Chang, Lu Xiao Bei, Xu Tan

Well, you should've aimed at them more accurately.

You got it all over me.

What were you doing?

He wanted to smash you.

Why were you standing there?

He meant this. What are you talking about?

That won't do, too!

You have to smash him back!

Smash? I don't get to do that anymore.

I'm retiring.

You're retiring?

That's a good thing.

If not, you'd become like my dad.

All he does is playing ping-pong. How pitiful that is.

Look at yourself. You don't look like a 16-year-old.

You face is full of bitter hatred.

Starting from today,

if someone ever threatens you again,

you just hit him back like this.

Got it?

Got it.

When are you leaving?

The day after tomorrow.

Fine, I happen to have a big thing to attend to tomorrow.

I guarantee your last day in Beijing

will be a thrilling one.

This is Lei Lei.

Lei Lei, Mr Lei's daughter

The daughter of my coach Mr Lei.

Ever since she was young,

she's always full of

unexpected ideas.

And was always punished

for her unruliness.

I have training tomorrow.

Sir, you're going to retire.

Why do you need to train?

You're right.

I'll get going.

Xu Tan, how are you going to tell my dad

about your retirement?

Nice shot.

Wang Hao did a forehand loop.

Beijing Wuyuan High School

Hurry up.

The singing competition is starting soon.

Let's go.

Spring Bud Cup Youth Vocal Competition of Dongcheng District

♫ Birds fly in the harvest season ♫

What you're wearing...

Stop talking.

It's over, right?

Let's go.

What's going on?

♫ I stand here bravely ♫

♫ With pride and courage ♫

♫ I give you ♫

Who is this?

♫ All the heat of the first light ♫

I don't know. She's not from our school.

♫ Turn the sadness into an insulator ♫

♫ And transfer all the happiness ♫

♫ I shuttle in and wait for you at the end of the world ♫

Look.

What have you done?

I don't like my school. So I decided to mess with them.

Aren't you afraid of being expelled from it?

Whatever. I've done singing it anyway.

And I'm happy.

How brilliant you are.

You do as you please.

I think one should be happy.

One should do what he likes and make his life worth living.

So that I don't regret doing anything.

Are you regret it? You're staying in the team?

I don't know either.

I've been playing ping-pong for years.

And now that I no longer get to play it,

I feel empty.

Then why did you start playing it?

Because of my grandpa.

I've had asthma when I was young.

The doctor said exercise helped recovery.

My grandpa liked ping-pong. So I picked it up.

Then why don't you play it anymore?

Because my mom said...

Wait, you picked it up because of your grandpa.

And now you don't play it anymore

-because your mom stops you from it. -Yes.

It's your own life. What do you think?

What do I think?

I think

no one can stop you

from doing what you want.

I seize every opportunity to sing because I want to.

If you want to play ping-pong, go on with it.

You will definitely get better at it.

You might even win a world championship.

And show them what you got.

You're still awake.

Where are you going?

I'm going to take a shower. And I need underwear.

Put it down.

Tan Tan.

We've already bought the tickets

for the ride at 4 p.m. tomorrow.

Hurry up. Take a shower and go to bed.

Mom.

Tan Tan, you used to be

very good at cultural courses.

As long as you do your revision well,

I believe

you will get into

some prestigious university.

But as for ping-pong,

I don't think you're born for it.

Ping-pong didn't choose you.

Let me try for one last time.

Tan Tan, what's wrong with you?

I can't change your mind, can I?

You're trying to drive me to an early grave!

What's wrong? Are you okay?

I'm having chest pain.

I'm so angry about this brat!

What are you mad about?

Fine, do whatever you want!

I don't care!

I'm so mad.

Here, get your ticket ready.

We're leaving in three minutes.

Mr Wang.

It's me.

Tan Tan.

Xu Tan's mother.

Have some drink.

Your mom is faking it.

She's not sick.

I know.

Let's talk soon.

Thank you. Goodbye.

Take this.

I don't know how to do those things.

But I will always support you. Good luck.

You're done?

I'm telling you. My chest

still feels tight.

Does it?

Then why did you start playing it?

Let me make one thing clear today.

There's no way he's attending the tryout.

Xu Yi Zhou, Xu Tan's grandfather

Grandpa, when I grow up,

I will win you a world championship!

Sure!

-I promise! -Yeah!

The first world championship of Tan Tan

Wait, Xu Tan.

You can be the world loser,

right?

You're not born for it.

Ping-pong didn't choose you.

Tan Tan, we're leaving.

Quickly sit down.

Ping-pong didn't choose me.

But I can choose it.

Tan Tan, where are you going?

Tan Tan.

Xu Tan, come back!

Sir, stop the bus now!

Sir, no need.

Sir, stop the bus at once.

Just go ahead.

Then tell me.

Are you that one in fifteen million?

Win a world championship and show them what you got.

Mom!

I want to win world championships!

You brat.

You've made up your mind this time?

That's a given.

It took me some effort to get you

a place for the regional training.

You're on your own now.

2004, Xiamen Xiaotuyu, Regional Training Center

It's about 9 a.m. in this morning

that a young man

snatched the two yuan

in the hands of an old beggar

behind here.

Young people today

are truly terrible.

Sir, I'm here to report myself.

What's your name?

Xu Tan.

Xu with "two people" radical. Tan as in "calm."

Sign your attendance.

Sure.

Look at what time it is.

-I'm sorry. -The coach is here already.

You're a player. How could you be late?

Check yourself where you're staying.

Xu Tan, Beijing team

Yu Ke Nan, Shanghai team

Yu Ke Nan?

Which room are you staying?

203.

Yu Ke Nan, Shanghai team

Don't worry, baby.

I'm done unpacking.

My roommates are quite nice.

It's just that we don't allow to carry our phones around.

I can no longer wake you up in the morning.

Sure, I'll call you soon. Bye-bye.

Hello.

Xu Tan.

You've reached Liaoning?

No, I'm in Xiamen.

Give me a second. Why can't I hear you?

Turn the music off.

No need.

I heard they're taking away our phones.

So I called to give you a head up.

There's nothing else.

Wait, what did you say? You're in Xiamen?

What's with you?

You're already late. Yet, you're here talking on the phone.

Wait.

Who are you?

Hello, Coach.

Coach.

Hello, Coach.

Here, hand over your phone

and wallet.

The wallet...

Just give it to me.

Girlfriend?

Friend.

But let me tell you.

You're here for serious training.

Not to date a girl. Got it?

Got it.

Have you gotten your quilt?

Not yet.

Let me introduce you to this dorm.

There are four floors in total.

The second floor is for the regional teams. Eight people per room.

The third floor is for the second team. Three people per room.

Next is the fourth floor.

And it's for the coach.

Then do you stay on the fourth floor?

What do you say?

Mr Teng, Mr Sun, Mr Lin. Hello.

Where have you been?

Didn't you know the coaches were coming to check the room?

Look, we have a new teammate here.

As a training veteran, I thought

it's necessary for me to do something.

So I took the new teammate

on a tour.

A training veteran?

You're one to talk.

According to the rules,

you're no longer eligible for training.

Why did they send you here?

Aren't you a coach?

To waste the resources?

Mr Sun.

Ever since my first training here,

I've thought that I can't keep going like this.

I know very well that

I will never make it into the national team.

I should just go home soonest.

Get married and give birth to a child.

And open a beef noodle house.

But it's good to have a chance.

So I thought,

since I'm

here already,

I should help you all with the work.

Help us with the work?

I think you're the most unstable factor.

All you do is causing trouble

and leading others to ruin training.

I can't do that.

I'd like to point out something.

You're not allowed

to go out of the center for no reason.

And you're given enough time to make calls.

I'm sure you've talked with your closed ones.

Thus, you must hand over your phones.

We don't mean anything.

We just want you to focus on the training.

Every weekend,

you will have 24 hours

to use it.

If you want to call your family on weekdays,

you can apply from me.

Got it.

What are you waiting for?

Quickly take out your phones.

Hurry up.

The coaches have had a long day.

A very long day.

Let them finish their work so that they can get some rest.

Quick, put it back.

I assume you got it.

My name is Teng Biao.

I'm the coach for the second national team.

For the next thirty-five days,

Mr Lin and Mr Sun

will help me to manage

your life and discipline.

And you'll be divided into teams for the specific training.

We'll notify you all tomorrow.

Also,

the training will be very tough.

Get your schedules adjusted.

Okay, let's go.

Take care.

When your beef noodle house is open,

remember to let me know.

Sure.

I'm sorry for what I did.

It's just a joke.

Let me introduce myself again.

Representative from the New Zealand team.

You're overseas Chinese?

Not that New Zealand.

Look.

Xinjiang.

Ju Lai Ti, Xinjiang team player nicknamed "Little Xinjiang"

Na Seng, Tibet team player, nicknamed "Little Tibet"

Tibet.

He Jin Bao, Lanzhou team player, nicknamed "Little Lanzhou"

Lanzhou.

I'm Na Seng.

I'm Ju Lai Ti.

I'm He Jin Bao.

Guo Yuan, Shanghai team player

Hi, my name is Guo Yuan.

And the one down there is Bo Bo.

Bo Bo, Shanghai team player

We're from Shanghai. You?

Beijing.

A Beijing teammate?

Then we've probably had a match before.

He's not famous in Beijing.

We wouldn't let him join a match.

It's normal that you never met him before.

I never thought you'd come.

Hey.

Lin Hao Zhi, Yunnan team player

My name is Lin Hao Zhi.

I'm from Yunnan.

Do you need any help?

It's okay, I can manage it.

I'm not going!

Don't stop me!

I don't care!

I want to go home!

Let go! I can walk myself!

Guo Yuan, that's Yu Ke Nan, right?

That's indeed him.

Is he that genius player

from your Shanghai team?

I'm not joining the regional training!

-Move! -Let go!

-He's won all the youth championships. -I can walk myself!

Let go!

Get in!

I'm not joining the darn regional training!

I will say this one more time!

You are joining it

no matter what!

Yu Ke Nan from the Shanghai team is here to report himself.

You're supposed to come at five.

You're ridiculously late.

Here, sign your name!

I'm capable enough to make it into the national team.

I don't need some regional training!

Are you signing it or not?

No!

Fine. Since you refuse to sign it, I will do so on your behalf.

What's there to watch?

You...

You vandalised things upon your arrival.

Do you feel uneasy from not being punished?

I have a strength, which is a photographic memory.

I'll see who's going to be late

for the morning training tomorrow.

Sirs.

Could you please come to my office?

Ping Pong Little Drama

Regional Training

Regional Training

Regional Training of National Outstanding

Young Ping-Pong Players,

or simply known as Regional Training.

Players who join this training are mostly from

the second national team,

Second National Team

provincial teams,

Provincial Teams

youth competitions

Youth Competitions

junior competitions, etc.

Junior Competitions

For players

coming from each province,

the chance to join the regional training

is a very precious one.

Under normal circumstances,

only the three players

who are ranked first

in each province

are eligible to participate it.

And the regional training

is where the seeded players from all places gather.

And there are professional coaches

Professional Coach

and a training plan

Training Plan

In a short space of time

the skills of the athletes will be greatly improved.

To put it another way,

to enter a regional training

is equivalent to receiving

a ticket to join the national team.

Therefore,

every year,

there are numerous ping-pong players

who work hard

for this ticket.

Its overall training load is quite big.

It is divided into summer and winter training.

The player who is ranked number one in the regional training

and the one ranked the last in the second national team

have a match.

The player who is ranked higher

gets to join the second national team.

The participants of regional training

are

athletes,

Athletes

coaches,

Coaches

fitness coaches,

Fitness Coaches

medical staff,

Medical Staff

researchers, etc.

Researchers

Besides

the ping-pong skills training,

during the regional training,

there are military training,

patriotic education,

programmes promoting ping-pong culture,

motivational education,

and other related activities.

And Xu Tan

National Ping-Pong Training Center

is a lucky person

who just got

his ticket.

Ping Pong Little Drama