Interview With David Rudesill

By Dennis Davis & Sean O’Neill (from Nov/Dec 2001 USA Table Tennis Magazine)

What were your overall impressions of China and table tennis in Shanghai?

David: Absolutely the best. China’s approach to table tennis is very much a perfectionist approach to table tennis training, a bit different from how the Swedes approach training. The venue was superb: wood floors, good lighting, nice tables, and even a new bathroom with western style toilets (thank God). China is extremely humid in the summer, so most of us were sweating buckets each training session ... I myself went through a good 3-4 shirts every three-hour session.

The players at the Shanghai club were very solid. It was obvious that their training reinforces strong consistency, solid technique, overall perfectionism. This is not to say that every player had perfect technique ... but every player was veeery consistent, something lacking in the majority of American players, at any level. The players ranged from 2200-2500 … I trained with all of them, giving me the opportunity to challenge different styles and strategies. The club had several choppers (another style not done very well in the U.S.), lefties, pips players, penholders, two-winged loopers, and so on.

What was the funniest moment for you on the trip?

David: I was just leaving a large outdoors market, after a long day of shopping. This shopping trip was relatively near the beginning of our stay in China, so I was still refamiliarizing myself with Chinese currency (I also trained in Shanghai three years ago). As I made my way to the Subway, a very old and very homeless woman gestured very violently that she wanted some change. Looking as old and pathetic as she was I couldn’t help but dig through my pockets and search for some coins. I pulled out the majority of what I had in my pocket and handed it to her with a smile. She gave no “your welcome,” she just began analyzing how much she had just received. Evidently, what I gave her was something short of 20 cents ... but in the form of many coins, so I gave the illusion of giving more than I gave (by accident of course). The old woman without hesitation pitched the money back at me as I began to walk away. Seeing as many poor and needy individuals as I had seen during my trip, the contrast of some old beggar throwing my money back at me with that of others who might have accepted my mishap-charity ... I found it rather humorous.

What did you work on and what did you learn the most?

David: Since the players over there were all so consistent, I found myself returning to the states with a refreshed sense of ball feeling and overall consistency. Certain truths about the sport which I had learned years ago were rediscovered during my training there. Everyone “knows” that each ball should be played individually, and yet a player still looks to find a groove by which those balls are played. While training I rediscovered the importance (as I was pushed harder there than training over here) of truly treating each ball, regardless of the shot, with individual importance.

Favorite non-table tennis experience?

David: I had the opportunity to be a sit-in teacher for an English class at the University of Shanghai. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I conversed with people (in English of course) who had never spoken to a foreigner before; some of these people were in their late 20’s to early 30’s!! The class and I talked about everything from our cultures’ differences, to favorite movies, and even cultural stereotypes which bothered us. I hope to go back there and maybe take up a full-time teaching position someday (and play table tennis in the meantime ... of course!!).

What will you take from the trip?

David: All the sights, sounds, smells, which made the city of Shanghai what it is. China is so different from America, it operates on a different frequency (not just electric), a different tone than we do. No American can truly empathize until they go there.

Would you like to go back? Why?

David: Most definitely. Aside from some of the best training available in the world, there are so many people which I would love to see again.

What would you do differently?

David: Before going next time, I would exercise much more (including weight training), in order to maximize my training in Shanghai. Though much more in shape than the first time I went, I still feel that my lack of physical preparation hindered some potential improvement.

How was Sean as coach and team leader?

David: Sean was great!! Each and every day he was first up, ready to go for breakfast. Aside from being a parental figure for the younger players, Sean acted as our coach and training partner. It was very reassuring to have such a wealth of table tennis talent and experience acting as our team leader.

Fun strategy question. Let’s say you are buying an item at the downtown market. The original price is 200 Yuan. You really want the item. How much do you initially offer? And how much would you be willing to ultimately spend on it?

David: You offer no more than 100, don’t go past 115. I bet Auria would get it for like 60, and Danny would state that he’d pay no more than 12 … DORKS!!!

Any additional thoughts or comments?

David: Great fun, can’t wait till next summer.