Ferenc Karsai Video Interview Part 6: Are the Many Recent Changes in Table Tennis Rules Good?

Ferenc Karsai, one of Europe's top table tennis coaches, discusses the many recent changes in table tennis rules, and the reasons behind those changes.

Who is Ferenc Karsai?

Karsai is one of Europe's most famous table tennis coaches. He was the head coach of Austrian Men’s National Team from 1995 to 2013 working with Karl Jindrak, Robert Gardos, Chen Weixing, Werner Schlager, Daniel Habesohn, and others. Coach of World Team against China in 2004, and was elected to be the best trainer of all sports in Austria in 2003.

Although officially retired after leaving the Austrian National Team, he remains active and has been seen coaching Canadian and Belgium players at World Championships and other important international competitions.

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WATCH THE REST OF THE INTERVIEW BY TOPIC:
Ferenc Karsai Video Interview Part 1: How Plastic Balls Have Changed Table Tennis
Ferenc Karsai Video Interview Part 2: How Could the Best European Players Beat the Best Asian Players?
Ferenc Karsai Video Interview Part 3: Is the Sport of Table Tennis Expanding or Shrinking?
Ferenc Karsai Video Interview Part 4: Advice to Recreational Table Tennis Players for Improving Their Game
Ferenc Karsai Video Interview Part 5: Are Boosters Good for Table Tennis?

OR WATCH THE FULL 1 HOUR INTERVIEW HERE:
Ferenc Karsai Full 1 Hour Interview - Plastic Balls, Boosters, How to Improve Your Game, and Much More

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Transcript of the Interview:

The Interviewer: We have a lot of changes in table tennis rules, starting from the year 2000 when the score was changed. First, I think first, the diameter of the ball changed from 38 to 40 millimeters. Then one year later, the score was up to 11 instead of up to 21. Then new service rule, speed glue ban, and now plastic material. What do you think? Is it improving table tennis, or some of them improving, or what is the biggest change? What do you think?

Ferenc Karsai: The reason why they want to change, this is a first question. It was the idea from Adham Sharara, because he wants the table tennis slower and to sell the sport like sport is more easier, that table tennis is not so fast. This was the reason why he change the balls 38 to 40 millimeters. Also, he change the floor. The Taraflex came with the red color, and everything is good for the television to see. After he change from 21 to 11, because after always shorter game, always more situation, very, very, very close matches, and still now it is very close, to see is more better for the people. After he change the timeout, it was never timeout before. He change also the ...

The Interviewer: Service rule.

Ferenc Karsai: Service rule. Gluing, he changed because it was too fast, and he think in 2006, is enough, he change the gluing not anymore. Before, Ogimura want to change the gluing, but he died. Ogimura was also president a short time. Adham Sharara also want to change the gluing, but the chemical of the ITTF, they don't think about the booster, this liquid, also instead of gluing, it can gluing with booster. Also the plastic balls, now is not too clever to play slow table tennis, because he wants slower table tennis, but now with plastic balls, it's faster coming. I think in this plastic ball, was not in this package, why they want to change it slower the table tennis. Plastic balls is another.

The Interviewer: But all other changes was meant to make table tennis slower? 

Ferenc Karsai: Yes. 

The Interviewer: To make it more attractive for TV coverage?

Ferenc Karsai: More attractive for the, yes.

The Interviewer: What you think, do they succeed it, International Table Tennis Federation?

Ferenc Karsai: I think more professional. In '96, they start with the professional table tennis, they reach very much. Adham Sharara, I think he was a unbelievable good president in this ...

The Interviewer: For table tennis.

Ferenc Karsai: Professional, yes. I think he was very good. For table tennis, was very good. Before, was really not professional, the table tennis. The different tournament events was not so professional like now.