Zhao Xintong reveals Tour Championship inspiration after close friend's world title win on same day
Zhao Xintong already had plenty to play for at the recent Tour Championship, but the world champion has revealed that he received some extra motivation from a close friend.
The Chinese ace, who celebrated his 29th birthday during the tournament, defeated world number one Judd Trump 10-3 in the final to pocket the £150,000 first prize on offer at the Manchester Central.
Zhao’s sixth career ranking event title, he created history in becoming the first player to win all three Players Series events within the same season.
Only a few weeks before, Zhao triumphed at the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong, and then the Players Championship in Telford. He completed a clean sweep of match wins on the Series, a 100% record of 12 from 12.
He also stretched his perfect record in professional event finals; he’s now featured in seven title matches, and won them all.
Being spurred on by fellow Chinese sporting superstar
Zhao is good friends with fellow countryman Wang Chuqin who is one of the world’s top table tennis stars.
On the same day as the Tour Championship climax, Wang was playing in the final of the International Table Tennis Federation World Cup in Macau.
World number one Wang is a reigning double Olympic champion having won gold in both the mixed doubles and men’s team events at the 2024 Paris Summer Games.
And the 25-year-old born in Jilin City added to his career CV by defeating Japan’s Sora Matsushima 4-3 in the final to win his maiden World Cup title.
Zhao revealed that he and fellow left-hander Wang had been messaging each other encouragement throughout their respective big days from opposite sides of the world, and that he was inspired by his friend’s latest triumph.
As reported in the South China Morning Post, Zhao said: "He had just won and I said I had to fight a bit more tonight.
"I know this title is very important to him, so tonight I also give myself extra motivation, and I am very happy to win the title together with him.”
With such busy schedules, it’s not often that Zhao and Wang can meet up in person, but there’s a chance they can do so in a few weeks’ time.
Wang is set to play in the World Team Table Tennis Championship which takes place at the Copper Box Arena and OVO Wembley in London between April 28 to May 10.
This competition overlaps with the 2026 World Snooker Championship being held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield where Zhao will be trying to successfully defend the world crown, but the two are hoping they can meet at some point whilst in the same country.
“If the timings work out in London, I hope to catch up with him again” Zhao said.
As per tradition as the reigning champion, Zhao will begin his latest Crucible campaign on the opening day of the televised stages on Saturday 18th April when he will play and complete his first round match.
Zhao will face a qualifier in the first round, with the live draw to be conducted on the morning of Thursday 16th April, the day after the qualifiers at the English Institute of Sport end.