It’s the afternoon of January 12, 2026. I’m sitting at my computer, wanting to write you a letter.
When I think of you, the first image that jumps into my mind is that moment after you won the championship at the Paris Olympics. No matter how many times I recall this scene, I understand again and again why “burst forth” can be used to describe tears. No matter how many times I watch it, what cannot be suppressed is never just tears, but also an emotion—heartache.
2862 Days of Waiting
Fan Zhendong’s victory did not come easily. From winning the World Championship for the first time to finally standing on the highest podium at the Olympics, there were too many twists and turns in between.
The fastest time to achieve a Grand Slam was 445 days, but you took 2862 days.
During these 2862 days, you experienced shocking defeats, came one step away from the World Championship title, and also came one step away from the Olympic championship. Heaven gave you an almost perfect beginning, but kept delaying you again and again.
The tears in Düsseldorf were not shed in vain. Finally, Houston came, and the timing was ripe.
Twenty-Seven in a Blink
Fan Zhendong, you once sang “Tourbillon.” At that time, did you already realize—
“Twenty-seven in a blink, time is running short, so I dare not slack off. Even if grand ambitions remain unfulfilled, it’s never too late to strive.”
These lyrics seem to have truly become a prophecy.
The withered branches of Tokyo finally transformed into ripe fruit in Paris. Spring was coming, and the earth finally completed it.
Shi Tiesheng wrote: “Without pain and hardship, you cannot strongly feel happiness. That’s just comfort, just mediocrity, not good fortune, not happiness.”
Yet I stubbornly hope that your life from now on can have unreasonable good luck.
Resilience
Watching your matches, from every shot, every step, I can feel your resilience.
Yes, that’s right, resilience. No other word can better describe my understanding of you.
Whether falling behind in score or standing at match point against you, this resilience grows like a new sapling into a towering tree in an extremely short time. Even with more wind and rain, more pressure that almost crushes a person, it only grows stronger and faster.
Those legendary comebacks all prove: Fan Zhendong himself is a miracle.
You have demonstrated through action—“Victory belongs to the most persevering.”
Boundless Horizons
In interviews after Paris, you said the future might not be table tennis anymore.
At that moment, I thought: How wonderful!
At that moment, there was only one thought in my mind: How wonderful!
Fan Zhendong should live such a life—no longer pulled by responsibility, no longer wrapped by expectations, no longer defined by public opinion.
Fan Zhendong, this world has boundless horizons. Go do whatever you want to do, go embrace a life that truly belongs to you.