In a sentence

With one World Championships he proved something: even in the era of China’s greatest strength, the title could still be taken by someone else.

Playing style

  • A distinctive serve with a rich mix of spin and placement
  • Steady in rallies; his backhand could absorb heavy attacks and turn them into counterattacks
  • Strong at adjusting during a match, quick to exploit an opponent’s dips in form

Career and key moments

At the 2003 Paris World Championships he cut through a field full of Chinese players to win men’s singles — the high point of his career and the most important trophy in Austrian table tennis history. Earlier he had taken men’s singles silver at the 1999 World Cup. After retiring he founded the Schlager Academy in Vienna and moved into coaching and youth development.

What he left the game

His World Championships trophy stands as the rarest breakthrough by a non-Chinese player in men’s singles in the 21st century. It became a source of belief for every European who came after him.

In a sentence: As long as the rules let others enter, the title is never booked in advance.