The white electrified Audi sped south along the Kingery, encompassing four table tennis aficionados. A forceful field of MLTT (Major League Table Tennis) wizards awaited us and other fans as our needle was pegged Due South towards the Compass Arena in Willowbrook. Meeting a fifth companion at the venue, we arrived for the first of a pair of team matches. It was a feel good atmosphere inside the multi-thousand square foot facility, yet just forty-five square feet would provide the platform for the serious high-stakes drama to unfold upon it.
The people at MLTT are smart, and they have to be to make this terrific, but lightly attended sport fly here in the States. Tables for the pedestrian players populated the lobby for those looking for a little play. There was food, beverages, plenty of space, and cool merch. Although at 70+, I won’t be sportin’ a Croc tee in the near future…maybe the MLTT logo is more my speed.
Inside the playing arena, music encompassed the space. I liked the selections, the decibels were reasonable, and it was an up tempo prelude to the action. A mechanical metronome would disintegrate in its attempt to keep up with the tick-tock of the warm-up exchanges between the pros. There’s not a bad seat from a viewing perspective. If MLTT elected to require the matches to be won by a pair of points, the metal bleachers would uncomfortably impart their time stamp, and multiple deuces might lose TV viewers. Golden Point…smart move, and there is a ten minute intermission.
Opposite the stands, scoreboards informed the patrons of the running match and game score. In the upper corners, replay screens straddle the court. Below, the red specially engineered flooring provided optimal footing, while sporting MLTT logos. The format of play was clearly explained by an enthusiastic roving young woman concious that newbies will always be present. In regards to her encouraging the crowd to bellow out ‘Golden Point’ at every regulation tie, I can temporarily squash my inner curmudgeon and appreciate the youthful exuberance surrounding me.
In this venue, It was New York vs, Texas in the afternoon, Chicago vs Florida in the evening. We grabbed a table…at a nearby buffet between the matches. Unfortunately, Nandan Naresh didn’t play a lick, but his ever supportive parents were there and it was a pleasure to speak with them. I used to hit some with Nandan and his brother Sid (who plays for Portland) when they were happily peering over the top of the tables at Wheaton on Friday nights. They seemingly haven’t lost an ounce of this pleasant demeanor. The ball doesn’t fall far from the table so they say 😊. Oh, and their father Arcot, he has danced around that magic 2000 level.
Tidbits…I was told CBS records the video, and ESPN airs it on occasion. Teams record their own video for analysis. There is a ‘serve clock’, and a challenge flag which is yellow. We saw one thrown. Two young people situated behind the players retrieve errant shots…keeping the game moving along swiftly. There were ‘timeouts’ called, but they were short.
Oh, the action…awesome with the variety of styles and counterpunching. The French lefty Lebesson was very impressive. Loved the variety and flair of the Spaniard Marc Duran, ala Seve, Rafa? I took the basketball analogy…the Argentinian Ginobili with his deceptiveness. And if you missed it, or this wasn’t enough action, there is tabletennis.tv, and of course highlights via You Tube.
Post game, the Chicago Wind sat collectively in the open, interacting with fans, doing selfies and signings. This approachability adds to the harmonious nature of the sport. Friends, food, and the frenzy on the table made for a memorable day. Nice job MLTT.
