Fang Yinchi: If Fan Zhendong Wants to Return to the National Team, No Coach Would Ever Turn Him Down

On November 29, fresh reports revisited the dramatic men’s team final of the National Games held on November 20. In a highly anticipated showdown, the Beijing squad—featuring legends Ma Long, Wang Chuqin, and Huang Youzheng—claimed a 3-1 victory against Shanghai’s team led by Fan Zhendong, Xu Xin, and Zhou Kai. With this triumph, Beijing secured the men’s team gold for the first time in 32 years—an achievement of enormous significance.

In the individual matchups, the competition unfolded as follows:

First match (Men’s Doubles): Huang Youzheng / Ma Long defeated Xu Xin / Zhou Kai 3–1 (11–9, 5–11, 11–4, 11–7)

Second match (Singles): Wang Chuqin fell 1–3 to Fan Zhendong (11–8, 7–11, 3–11, 9–11)

Third match (Singles): Ma Long swept Zhou Kai 3–0 (11–4, 13–11, 14–12)

Fourth match (Singles): Wang Chuqin beat Xu Xin 3–0 (11–8, 12–10, 11–8)

With this decisive team effort, Beijing BaXi clinched a 3–1 victory over Shanghai Real Estate Group, officially lifting the championship title.

One of the highlight moments of the final was Fan Zhendong’s tenacious comeback against Wang Chuqin. After dropping the opening game, Fan turned up the intensity—winning three straight, and sealing the match with a spectacular, ultra-aggressive finishing forehand nicknamed the “King’s Rip”—as he powered to a 3–1 victory.

Throughout the tournament, Fan Zhendong demonstrated exceptional form. He took the men’s singles gold medal and led Shanghai to the team silver, completing 10 appearances with a remarkable undefeated personal record.

Later, on November 29, former National Team player Fang Yinchi shared his perspective in a livestream discussion:
“Can Fan Zhendong return to the National Team? I honestly don’t know. But isn’t the real question whether he wants to return? If you were a national coach and Fan Zhendong wanted to come back—would you ever refuse him? You’d welcome him back even if you had to carry him in on your back! It all depends on his own decision. Look at his generation—many have already reached the natural retirement phase, and he has already achieved everything expected at the highest level.

Did he ever officially quit the National Team? No, he didn’t. Whatever direction he chooses, we support him. He’s following his heart. If you truly admire him, then you should respect his choices. And please don’t misinterpret this—I never said he left the National Team. He never declared that.”

Following this discussion, many fans took to social media with their own views:

“It’s not that he doesn’t want to return—someone doesn’t want him to return.”

“Everybody suddenly wants to be Fan Zhendong’s spokesperson.”

“Does Fang Yinchi know something? Can Fan really come back?”

“Didn’t Zhou Yu say that Fan already left the National Team?”

“Fan himself said in interviews: ‘I follow the team’s arrangements.’”

“If the coaching staff really wanted him back, the first step would have been restoring his world ranking. They should have applied for ranking protection instead of stripping his points. We remember exactly what happened over this past year—no need to pretend otherwise.”

“If you don’t know the facts, don’t comment. Aside from Fan Zhendong, who else from that generation is still producing major results?”