At the Tokyo Olympics, Chen Meng became famous and won two gold medals in women's singles and team, as if heralding the beginning of a new era. However, the three years after the Olympics have been an alternation of luck and misfortune for Chen Meng. Originally, the position of the first sister in the domestic table tennis world seemed to be within reach, but she was unexpectedly surpassed by new players Wang Manyu and Sun Yingsha. In particular, Sun Yingsha shined in the International Grand Slam tournaments and year-end finals at the end of 2022, followed by many great results in 2023, and won many important tournaments in 2024.
In stark contrast, Chen Meng has only won one Grand Slam title in the past three years, and has lost all four finals in 2023. Heading into 2024, the back-to-back loss of the title has made many loyal supporters even more worried about her future. After losing the defending champion in the World Cup, Chen Meng's parents even drove from Shandong to Beijing to pick her up in a luxury car, showing their care and support.
Faced with the current situation of repeatedly missing the championship, Chen Meng maintained a calmness. In a recent interview, she spoke candidly, stating that despite being at a low point in her career, she is still satisfied with her performance in international competitions and sticking to her goals abroad. In addition, she officially announced her decision on social media: "Strive to be a better version of yourself." Chen Meng posted a photo of the end of the training and inspired herself to continue to strengthen her sense of mission, responsibility and honor, which not only shows her perseverance and hard work, but also reflects her determination even in the face of adversity.
We look forward to the next Saudi Arabia Grand Slam, Chen Meng can once again show her competitive form, add luster to her table tennis career, and leave a chapter without regrets.