The Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) 2024 season is set to be an electrifying event, with 23 high-intensity ties featuring rivalries, clashes between stars, and the emergence of new icons. The action kicks off with the reigning champions, Goa Challengers, facing off against debutants Jaipur Patriots at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. The league, spanning 17 days, will culminate in the grand finale on September 7.
One of the most anticipated matchups of UTT 2024 is between India’s ace paddler, Manika Batra, and World No. 13 Bernadette Szocs. These two players have a history of facing off against each other since their junior days, with Manika coming out on top in their last encounter at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The rematch between these two talented players is sure to be a highlight of the season.
The return of two legends, Achanta Sharath Kamal and Quadri Aruna, adds even more excitement to UTT 2024. As the highest-ranked male player in the league, Aruna will go head-to-head with Sharath, the top-ranked Indian male paddler. Their encounter is expected to be a thrilling showdown that fans won’t want to miss.
Sharath, leading the Chennai Lions, will be looking to bring glory to his home city and the passionate fans in the stands. He will be joined by UTT’s youngest player, forming a dynamic team ready to contend for the title. Sharath expressed his confidence in the team’s abilities and highlighted India’s growth in table tennis on the international stage.
Defending champions, Goa Challengers, led by Harmeet Desai and featuring the unbeaten Yangzi Liu from UTT 2023, will be aiming to defend their title and achieve what no team has done before. Harmeet expressed his excitement about representing the Goa Challengers once again and his confidence in the team’s consistency and performance.
All participating teams in UTT 2024 will consist of six players and two coaches, competing in five league-stage ties. Each tie will feature five matches played over three games, with the first team to win eight games securing the tie. The top four teams with the most points at the end of the league stage will progress to the semi-finals.
This season sees the debut of Jaipur Patriots and Ahmedabad Pipers, bringing the UTT 2024 roster to eight teams for the first time. The growth of the league brings 48 players, including 16 internationals, to the fifth edition of UTT, promising a diverse and competitive field.
UTT 2024 offers a platform for players like Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Ayhika Mukherjee to continue their stellar performances and elevate the game further. Sathiyan, making history as the only player to feature for the same team five times, expressed his happiness at being part of Dabang Delhi TTC once again. Ayhika highlighted the boost in confidence and popularity that UTT has brought to the sport of table tennis.
Matches from UTT 2024 will be broadcast on Sports18 Khel on TV and streamed live on JioCinema in India, with international audiences tuning in via Facebook Live. The league promises to be a thrilling and action-packed event, showcasing the best of table tennis talent from around the world.