Table Tennis Controversy: A Disputed Edge Ball in Chinese Super League Finals
During the women’s team finals of the Chinese Super League, a controversial edge ball incident occurred between Sun Yingsha and Qian Tianyi, where the umpire denied a replay request despite player protests, sparking debate about video review protocols.
The recent Chinese Super League women’s team finals have brought attention to a contentious issue in professional table tennis - the handling of disputed edge balls and video review requests. The controversy emerged during a crucial match between Sun Yingsha of Shenzhen University and Qian Tianyi of Shandong Luneng on January 1, 2025.
In the fourth game of their match, Sun indicated she heard the ball clip the edge of the table and requested a review of the point. The umpire, however, ruled it as out without allowing a video replay, despite Sun’s clear gesture indicating she had heard contact with the table edge.
This incident highlights several key aspects of modern table tennis officiating:
The role of technology in professional sports has become increasingly important. While table tennis has introduced the Hawk-Eye system in some tournaments, its implementation and usage protocols remain inconsistent across different competitions. The selective application of video review technology - as evidenced later in the same event when another disputed point was allowed replay - has raised questions about officiating consistency.
Sound plays a crucial role in edge ball determination. Professional players often rely on their acute hearing to detect the distinctive sound of a ball clipping the table’s edge. However, in a noisy arena environment, acoustic evidence alone may not be sufficient for definitive calls.
The match ultimately concluded with Sun winning 3-2 (11-7, 9-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-3), helping Shenzhen University level the overall team score at 2-2 against Shandong Luneng. While the result stood, the incident has sparked broader discussions within the table tennis community about the need for standardized replay protocols and consistent application of technology across all professional matches.
The controversy also reflects the evolution of table tennis officiating in the digital age. With high-speed cameras and instant replay capabilities readily available, many argue that denying video review requests in disputed cases potentially undermines the sport’s integrity and fairness. This incident may accelerate calls for comprehensive implementation of video review systems in all major table tennis competitions in China and internationally.
Proponents of expanded video review argue that taking a few minutes to review controversial points could prevent extended disputes and maintain player confidence in officiating decisions. The incident has prompted many in the Chinese table tennis community to advocate for clearer guidelines regarding when and how video review should be employed during matches.