Ma Long brought his two sons and wife to play for the first time and won the China Grand Slam 3-0 quickly

On the evening of September 30th, Chinese table tennis star Ma Long stepped onto the court for the first round of the 2024 World Table Tennis (WTT) China Grand Slam. In a commanding performance, he defeated England’s Liam Pitchford with a score of 3-0, advancing to the top 32 in men’s singles.

In an interview, Ma Long mentioned that this tournament marked his first appearance since winning his sixth Olympic gold in Paris. He made a memorable entrance with his two sons by his side, drawing cheers from the audience.

Despite Pitchford’s determined resistance, Ma Long’s superior skills allowed him to dominate the match effortlessly. After the victory, he shared his reasons for bringing his sons to witness the event. “I hope they can experience the charm of table tennis firsthand,” he said. “Having them here gives me motivation and fuels my performance.”

As they left the court, his sons clung to him, their eyes shining with pride as if to say, “My dad is a great hero.”

In the mixed media area, the two little ones continued to capture the reporters’ attention. When asked if he plans to introduce his children to the sport, Ma Long responded with a smile, “That depends on whether they show interest after watching the game.”

He paused, adding, “They’ve never been to a live event before, and they hardly watch on TV. I hope they enjoy the atmosphere of table tennis, and of course, their presence here motivates me.” His sons playfully wriggled between the barriers, looking up and calling out, “Hello, Dad!”

Additionally, Ma Long’s wife, Xia Lu, graced the cameras with her stunning appearance, captivating everyone with her beauty, a true testament to her status as a former campus belle.

After dating for eight years, Ma Long and Xia Lu got married in 2017 and welcomed their first son in 2018. In interviews, Ma Long often expresses his gratitude towards Xia Lu for dedicating herself to their family and sacrificing her career so he can compete without any worries.