Manav Thakkar targets marginal gains after historic barrier-shattering run Premium

Manav Thakkar's historic run at WTT Star Contender event showcases his mental strength and rising career in table tennis.

Raising his arms, 24-year-old Manav Thakkar swirled his table tennis racquet at the Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, sending the spectators into a frenzy.  

Thakkar had just become the first Indian to reach the semifinals of a WTT Star Contender event. And he had achieved it with a huge win over Korea’s Lim Jonghoon, ranked as high as World No. 11 in 2023. Although he lost to France’s Thibault Poret in the last four, he rose to a career-high World No. 47 and became the top-ranked Indian on the strength of his historic run. 

Thakkar also proved several detractors wrong, offering a counterpoint to the view that he would struggle on the demanding professional circuit because he lacked a major weapon.  

A rally-player who relies on counterattacks and accuracy to gain points, Thakkar has added a few layers to his game, which didn’t go unnoticed. It was as clear as crystal in the manner in which he defeated Australia’s Finn Luu in the round of 32 and 19-year-old German Andre Bertelsmeier in the last 16 before the defining victory over Lim.  

Thakkar was quick on his feet and bent forward to take the ball early, exerting immense pressure on his opponents. He also experimented with his serve, using the side-spin and reverse side-spin variations in addition to his staple, the Tomahawk.  

Significantly, he was mentally stronger than before in terms of handling pressure when he was down a few points or facing a tough time against a fancied player. The increased confidence meant he was not averse to going for his shots, which bodes well for the future.

Thakkar’s strategy and mental ability were in full view in the fourth game against Lim. Trailing 2-6, he won nine points in a row with a wonderful mix of effective serves, excellent third-ball attacks and consistent play from the back of the table.