Good players adapt, it is a well worn phrase but it is indisputable
It
is a quality required by any athlete who has eyes set on the top prize
and it most certainly applies to the Liebherr Men’s World Cup, which
starts in Liège on Friday 26th September and concludes three days later
on Sunday 28th September 2008.
Furthermore, adapting will more
than ever be the key to success; the new regulations which prohibit the
use of glue that increases the speed of the racket are now in force.
No adhesive may be used which changes the characteristics of the racket covering.
Olympic Games the Last for Speed Glue
The
most experienced player on duty in the 2008 Liebherr Men’s World Cup in
the local man, Jean-Michel Saive, he has competed internationally for
over two decades and of course has seen the sport develop. However, the
use of speed glue has been the norm during his long and illustrious
career.
"Of course at the Olympic Games when I lost to Segun
Toriola, I used speed glue", explained Jean-Michel Saive. "After that
tournament I came back to Belgium and practised without using the glue."
The Beijing Olympic Games was the last event for table tennis where speed glue was permissible.
No Enjoyment
"The first week without the glue was really difficult", explained Jean-Michel Saive. "I didn’t enjoy playing at all."
Now,
that is not the Jean-Michel Saive that I know; playing, competing for
every point and giving the crowd wonderful entertainment is Jean-Michel
Saive.
The Belgian star not enjoying playing table tennis is a contradiction in terms.
Physical Fitness
"Slowly
I started to get used to the new situation, the trajectory of the ball
is different", continued Jean-Michel Saive. "Now I feel fine but I
think now you are going to have to be physically stronger."
Surely, having to be more athletic is a good effect; however, Jean-Michel Saive does have a reservation.
Respect
"It
is essential that everybody respects the rules", continued Jean-Michel
Saive. "It’s important that the etiquette of the sport is maintained,
it concerns me that some players may try to break the rules; I think at
the moment it’s fifty-fifty."
Time will tell but with glue testing in place the fears of Jean-Michel Saive should surely be allayed.
Different in 2008
However,
as always Jean-Michel Saive is looking forward to the forthcoming
battles and perhaps the pressure is not so great on his shoulders on
this occasion.
"It’s different from three years ago when we last
played the Men’s World Cup in Liège", said Jean-Michel Saive. "Last
time was the first time, it was a new building; everything was new."
It was so new that some of the building work had not been finished; the roads leading to the premises were not finished.
"This
time there has been the Olympics, then a European Champions League
match", continued Jean-Michel Saive. "So it’s only one week ago that I
started to think about the Men’s World Cup."
Overshadowed
The
Olympic Games has overshadowed other events in 2008, it is the world’s
premier sporting event and for the sixth consecutive time Jean-Michel
Saive was present.
Furthermore, he is adamant that it is not
farewell and no doubt he’ll be giving 200 per cent as always but will
his thoughts wander?
Supporter
Jean-Michel
Saive is an ardent supporter of Standard, the club based in Liège and
the winners of the top division of the Belgian Football League in the
2007-2008 season; the first time they have won the title in over 20
years.
On Friday 26th September they play Anderlecht; it is
the big match, the top two teams clash and I wonder how many locals
will have divided loyalties.
Not which football team should they
support but should it be Standard or the Standard bearer for Belgian
table tennis, Jean-Michel Saive?
My vote goes to integrity, to honesty, to endeavour, to a great sportsmen - Jean-Michel Saive.
Source: www.ittf.com
