Following her excellent start to the season, Sun Yingsha tops the world rankings in women's singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

"Pursue your passion and stay focused." That's the message that Chinese table tennis hotshot Sun Yingsha wants to convey to her young fans.

As a Gen Z-er herself, the 23-year-old already tops the world rankings in women's singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles, with her stunning skills at the table and endearing personality in front of the cameras propelling her to global stardom.

Sun is especially adored by the younger generation of table tennis lovers, and she is gratified to see her popularity is encouraging more kids to pick up paddles.

"I have seen an increasing number of people, including children, getting into table tennis. Table tennis, I think, has gained a growing influence," Sun told China Daily online show On Your Marks.

"If you truly love it, I hope you can persevere no matter what difficulties or setbacks you encounter. These experiences will be the most precious ones of your life, so I hope that in table tennis you give it your all and pursue your dreams.

"Generation Z players and kids must have their own unique styles, qualities that set them apart. Whether they are young athletes who started earlier, or who have just joined the team, we all have our own flair and talents."

Sun Yingsha has been in sensational form this season, notably winning the women's singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles gold medals at the 2023 Singapore Smash, a WTT Grand Smash event, in March. In doing so, she became the first player in the tournament's history to win three gold medals at a single edition of the event

Sun has been in sensational form this season, notably winning the women's singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles gold medals at the 2023 Singapore Smash, a WTT Grand Smash event, in March.

In doing so, she became the first player in the tournament's history to win three gold medals at a single edition of the event. It also secured her position as the world No 1 in each discipline.

"I feel more motivated. My two playing partners are both world-class. When (Wang) Manyu is standing in front of me we are rivals, and when she is next to me we are well-matched partners," said Sun.

"The same with Wang Chuqin, one of the top male players now. When we stand next to each other competing against foreign players our confidence surges."

Sun has plenty more targets in her sights, especially winning an Olympic women's singles gold. She made her Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games two years ago, when she pocketed a silver in the singles and a gold in the women's team competition.

Clearly, that singles runner-up finish still stings, and she is determined to go one step further on the podium at the 2024 Games in Paris.

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"I took part in the Olympics when I was 21. At that time I was not a complete enough player, so I was unable to win the women's singles gold," recalled Sun.

"I was not mature enough. I'm now 23, and looking back at those losses, I feel that I have learned a lot from them. Since the Olympics, I've also experienced many other defeats in other competitions, but I never give up. Life is never smooth, and you always face ups and downs. Determination and courage are what make an excellent athlete."

Sun Yingsha of China hits a return during the women's singles quarterfinal against Ito Mima of Japan at the WTT Champions Xinxiang 2023 in Xinxiang, central China's Henan province, April 13, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Kid at play

Sun had an instant connection with table tennis as a child — it was the sound of the bouncing ball that initially drew her to the game.

"My parents bought me my first paddle for just a few yuan in a nearby sports shop. I couldn't even hold the paddle very well as my hand was too tiny, and I could just use it to juggle the ball," said Sun.

"At first it was my parents who wanted me to play. But I was very sensitive to the sound of the ball hitting the ground. I really liked that kind of sound.

"They suggested I give it a try. After a few days, I found that I really enjoyed it. And when I started playing matches, I felt I had some talent."

As her training became more serious, Sun admits that she sometimes found the sessions boring, and the tears would even flow if she was criticized by a coach.

Looking back on those early days, Sun believes they have forged her mental fortitude.

In 2015, Sun stepped into the training base of the national team for the first time as a reserve team member. She still remembers the excitement of seeing her Team China idols for the first time.

"Everything was very new to me then, because I had just been called up to the national team," she said. "I saw Li Xiaoxia and Ding Ning training there. But if you're talking about idols, Zhang Yining is my role model," said Sun.

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Zhang is certainly a legend of the sport. Nicknamed "the Devil", fans see similarities between the four-time Olympic champion and Sun. Hence, they have dubbed Sun "the Little Devil". "When I was 8, I watched Zhang Yining on TV playing a women's singles final against Wang Nan. I hope one day I can reach her level and become a world-class athlete like her," said Sun.

"Her performances in competitions and what she demands of herself in training are worth emulating, not just by me but by all young athletes.

"It will take a long time and a lot of effort to become a top player like Zhang Yining."

Sun is cherishing her time in the national team, and credits the support and help from the squad as key factors in her rise.

"Team China is so unified. It really is a great honor for me to be in the team. I've achieved some things, but these feats are inseparable from the efforts of every team member, including the support, medical and coaching staff, as well as my training teammates," she said.

"Few players get to stand on the winner's rostrum, but the gold medal belongs to the whole team. It is a team of unity, pride and responsibility."