SINGAPORE: The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and T2APAC, a prestigious series of annual professional table tennis events have jointly confirmed the qualification criteria for its three men’s and women’s singles championships to be staged in 2019.
The distinguished T2 Diamond Championships, also known as Table Tennis’ ‘Grand Slam’, will feature the world’s best players with a total prize purse of USD 1.5 million and a progressive competition format that creates a fresh and bold entertainment experience for table tennis athletes and fans across the globe.
Player qualification will be based on the ITTF World Tour Standings at specific qualification cut-off dates, ensuring the participation of the world’s top 15 men’s and women’s players. Additionally, two nominations (one from men & one from women) will be granted to each host city or venue partner as a ‘host exemption’.
Players will earn world ranking points, which directly impacts the ITTF World Ranking Standings. These points are awarded as a bonus, in addition to the top 8 results tabulated by the ITTF World Rankings. With three T2 Diamond Championships in 2019, these ‘bonus’ World Ranking Points will inevitably impact the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic qualification process.
“T2 strives to be the catalyst for change and fully embraces innovation and new ideas. With this progressive competition format, I hope that T2 is able to raise the profile of table tennis so that the true beauty of this remarkable sport can be appreciated by a wider global audience,” T2 Diamond CEO & Commissioner Jeff Chue said.
ITTF CEO Steve Dainton added: “T2 Diamond gives the ITTF the perfect opportunity to test creative innovations, pushing the boundaries of the sport. This will open up the commercial potential for table tennis, and we’re excited to see what else we can bring to the table.”
In 2017, T2 successfully introduced for the first time ever in professional table tennis, a time limited match format, and a single table set-up within an intimate competition arena designed to heighten player and audience experience in the venue. This format will provide the basis for the three T2 Diamond tournaments in 2019, with the venues to be announced shortly.
