Table tennis, a globally popular sport, encompasses elements of offense, defense, and competition.

Originating in Victorian-era England, it was initially played as a post-dinner parlor game by the upper class. Originally known as "table tennis," it was also referred to as "indoor tennis."

In the early 20th century, table tennis began to flourish in Europe and Asia. In 1926, the International Table Tennis Federation was established during an international invitation tournament held in Berlin, Germany.

The inaugural World Table Tennis Championships marked a new chapter in the early history of the sport, laying the groundwork for future world championships. From 1926 to 1939, the World Table Tennis Championships were held annually. Starting from the 47th edition in 2003, the International Table Tennis Federation decided to separate individual and team events.

Years of development have led to significant changes in table tennis equipment, including rackets, balls, and rules. The initial rackets were processed wooden boards, later covered with a layer of sheepskin. Subsequently, Europeans began attaching rubber with grains to the rackets. In the early 1950s, the Japanese invented rackets with thick sponge layers.

Table tennis became an official Olympic sport in the summer of 1988.

From a professional perspective, table tennis demands high levels of physical coordination, including footwork, body posture, strokes, visual acuity, and reaction time.

However, the perception of table tennis among spectators or amateur enthusiasts often leans towards leisure rather than competitive sport, influenced by several factors:

1. The size limitations of table tennis equipment, set at the inception of its invention, positioned it as an indoor sport. However, post-1950s industrial advancements, led by Japan and other nations, in developing new rubber, glue, and bottom plate materials significantly enhanced the spin and speed of the ball.

While table tennis initially emphasized delicate techniques due to its small size, the heightened ball sensitivity and training required by improved equipment often pose challenges for amateur players who struggle to control returns due to the high-performance characteristics of the equipment or misjudgment of spin and trajectory.

2. Scoring in table tennis often relies on speed and ball placement. With a small court size, fast ball speeds, tricky placements, and a focus on winning through aggression, amateur players with insufficient physical fitness often struggle to make correct decisions in response to incoming balls.

As a globally beloved leisure activity, table tennis is an excellent form of exercise, improving cardiovascular function, enhancing muscle strength, refining eye coordination, and promoting blood circulation, among other benefits. In conclusion, engaging in table tennis moderately can bring joy and health, making it an excellent lifestyle habit.