India is set to participate in both the men's and women's table tennis team events at the Olympics for the first time in Paris, having secured a spot in the top 16 rankings. Despite this milestone, coach Massimo Costantini remains unsatisfied. Although India's table tennis teams have achieved notable success at the Commonwealth Games, they have struggled to replicate this at the Olympics and Asian Games. However, their qualification for the team events, which were introduced in 2008, has sparked new hopes for India's first Olympic medal in the sport. As of July, the Indian men's team ranks 14th globally, while the women's team is 11th.
"Achieving a spot in the team event is already a significant accomplishment, given that being among the top 16 worldwide is no easy feat," Costantini told Reuters. "But for me, the rankings are too close, akin to wearing clothes that are too tight. Comfort is essential for optimal performance. My aim is to secure a top-10, top-eight, or even top-four position, eliminating any doubt about India's participation in the Olympic team events."
One of India's key players at the Olympics will be Manika Batra, the 2018 Commonwealth Games champion, who recently broke into the top 25 and reached a career-high ranking of 24 following her win at the Saudi Smash in May. Batra (ranked 28) and Sreeja Akula (ranked 25) are leading India's charge in the rankings.
"Consistency in seizing opportunities is crucial. We aim for sustained results rather than sporadic improvements in the world rankings," Costantini emphasized. "Manika maintained her performance well, hovering between 35 and 38 for almost a year, and a single competition propelled her to a higher rank. The women have performed admirably, but there is room for significant improvement."
The Italian coach also mentioned that he has been leveraging data from artificial intelligence to enhance his players' performance, partnering with Indian sports analytics firm Stupa Sports Analytics for a training camp. "Technology and AI can provide a deeper understanding of performance. Sometimes, the coach's words are insufficient," Costantini added, returning to the Indian table tennis setup for a third time this year. "These reports and data offer objective insights. We're making minor adjustments, similar to those in motorsport, where small details can make a difference, even by a millisecond. In table tennis, it's the same principle."
The Olympic table tennis tournament will be held at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from July 27 to August 10.
