Fan Zhendong explained in detail the reasons for transfer to the Bundesliga: Focusing on the new season, there is no clear timetable for returning to the national team!

On August 27, 2025, at the new season press conference of the Bundesliga Sarbrücken Club, table tennis star Fan Zhendong faced the media's question and publicly responded to relevant matters about joining the Bundesliga for the first time. He said that the transfer was made after full communication and support with the leaders and coaching team of the Chinese Table Tennis Association. At this stage, he will focus on completing the club's training and competition tasks.

Fan Zhendong emphasized that his current primary goal is to adapt to the new environment and devote himself to the three events of the Bundesliga, the German Cup and the Champions League, and no specific return schedule has been set yet. But he also made it clear that whether to return to the national team in the future will be discussed with the Table Tennis Association based on actual conditions, and it is not a unilateral decision for individuals.

This statement responds to recent external doubts about his "remove the national team". Fan Zhendong pointed out that all decisions have been professionally evaluated and are not impulsive actions. Many fans also expressed their support, believing that the media should pay more attention to the Table Tennis Association's policies rather than over-focusing on individual athletes.

From the return conditions, whether Fan Zhendong can return to the international arena depends on three major factors.

1. It is the policy support of the Chinese Table Tennis Association. Since Wang Liqin served as chairman, the Table Tennis Association has been revealed to be promoting reforms. The national team qualification may no longer be based on WTT's world rankings alone, and will be changed to a comprehensive assessment mechanism, which provides the possibility for outstanding players but no rankings yet.

2. It is the recovery of world rankings. Due to the previous withdrawal from the international ranking system, Fan Zhendong needs to accumulate points by participating in domestic competitions such as the Table Tennis Super League and the National Games to regain the ranking.

3. It is the adjustment of personal status. Fan Zhendong admitted that after the Paris Olympics, physically and mentally exhausted, and long-term interference from "fan circle culture" - incidents such as illegitimate fans breaking into the room, putting great psychological pressure on his psychology and even affecting his performance in the competition. He said it takes time to calm his emotions and rebuild his concentration.

Despite facing dual challenges of public opinion and psychology, Fan Zhendong showed the pragmatic attitude of professional athletes. He neither shys his way around the problem nor overcommits, but instead focuses on club responsibilities at the current stage. Its response not only reflects respect for the national team system, but also leaves room for flexibility for personal careers.

If the Table Tennis Association policy provides support, the rankings are successfully restored, and the psychological state is adjusted in place, Fan Zhendong may still return to the international arena as a core player. Fans can continue to pay attention to his performance in the Bundesliga and the subsequent relevant policy trends of the Chinese Table Tennis Association.