In response to several players’ ranking boycott, the World Table Tennis (WTT) removed the mandatory participation requirement for all WTT Grand Smashes.
The rule will come into effect immediately, aiming to provide flexibility for athletes after it was initially stated that the players could be fined US$5,000 for not participating in the event.
This means that players will be invited to the remaining three WTT Grand Smashes in 2025: the United States Smash (July 3-13), Europe Smash (August 14-24), and China Smash (September 25- October 5).
Moreover, the new rule will allow players exemption from two annual WTT Champions events, letting them manage their cramped schedule.
The Olympic gold medallists will be allowed to compete in all four WTT Grand Smashes and six WTT Champions events, valid for four years following their Olympic triumph.
WTT said it is finalising the new rules implementation in the WTT Handbook, with the first eligible event being the 2025 WTT Champions Incheon.
A prize money of one million U.S. dollars has been approved — 500,000 allocated to the men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles events across the WTT Series and 500,000 added to the WTT Finals — with the total prize pool amounting to 1.3 million.
The prize share for singles champions will rise to 15% of the total event purse.
The body that runs commercialized table tennis tournaments said by increasing the number of best-of-seven matches, it aims to deliver high-intensity battles from start to finish, provide players with greater playing opportunities at events, and enhance storytelling and audience engagement.
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