Jan Ove Waldner - The Power of Block

[@silversurfer4441]

Waldner's placement is uncanny. He does what he does so effortlessly when everyone else is hopping around like a jackrabbit sweating bullets.

[@parthsavyasachi9348]

Yaa but at the first point against boll he was down two games to nil and in that game down 9 to 4. So may be all that placement didn't really help him.

[@glenngastonjonsson7954]

Waldner lost a lot of matches 'cos he was lazy@@parthsavyasachi9348 . This video is addresing his briilliant shots.

[@elwhagen]

@@parthsavyasachi9348 The block was helping him win that point in a very nice fashion, so I would say it helped him very well in that situation. And that's why it was selected. For the future of our gene pool I really hope that you can understand that...

[@ramabhir]

Yeah but boll vs Waldner in the early 90s …it’s a wrap man …respect to his longevity..imagine the Chinese players he played against coached against him !!.. enough said …easily the GOAT

[@ramabhir]

The person closest to Waldner ..Federer ..but hey that’s a slightly different sport 😁

[@AdamOlaso]

i love how he walks away like a boss!

[@hmangaihkimahrahsel2748]

yea he act like a boss :)

[@aytacqasimzade5742]

ɷɷɷɷ I Havee Watchedd Thisss Moviee Leakeddd Versionnn Heree : - t.co/RlKbv1hghK

[@sw2de3fr4gt]

Love how he starts walking away even when the ball is still live.

[@argentumec2184]

super comment!!) i think this too)

[@nikolaikester]

SAVAGE

[@lespaul5734]

It never ceases to amaze me how he makes Timo Boll look like an amateur in that first point. Not only is Waldner not bothered by his attacks but he uses them against him! Wish we had such smart and unique plays like this nowadays!

[@thoughtrover6400]

if you just dont look at the scoreboard lol.

[@genoric4094]

@@thoughtrover6400He’s trashed Timo Boll at multiple other occasions so meh

[@DonnieFive]

That is a reply for the two other guys replying. This clip is not about who is better, it just about the appreciation of the beauty of the sport.

[@Centrinario]

1:59 - Blocks and walks away at the same time. The only player in history who can do that. I'm so fortunate to have met him in person. One of the best moments of my life.

[@zevlibin3403]

Golden Boy The only player in history who can be this cocky and still be loved by every1

[@robt3078]

I'm a proud citizen of Västertorp, a suborn outside of Stockholm. Jan Ove Waldner was born here. We must honor him with a statue over here!

[@felipeksetrock8328]

Hi.Do you know him personally?? Greetings..

[@helpupass]

he must be the most known Sweden in China.

[@FiatFlipper]

@@helpupass Pewdiepie exists

[@ajitbhale8211]

Very true

[@aashishsharma9106]

@@FiatFlipper KZbin is banned in china

[@theendepilogue655]

We Chinese like him very much! We call him Mozart in the world of table tennis！ He's a genius!

[@bankabaver4583]

In Sweden he allways talk much about the love from China - Thank you!

[@Unclekitty9926]

totally agree. I never seen any player play like him.

[@luf4rall]

When all the Chinese greats of the 90s and early 2000s played against the same man, that man became a legend. You can't help but respect him. I saw matches where the Chinese crowd cheer just as loudly for JOW points as the Chinese player points.

[@Iennal]

So calm and genius play! one of the legend of ping pong history!

[@EnoVarma]

The phrase LIKE A BOSS was created for 1:59.

[@Christestament]

EnoVarma You're absolutely right. Poor Timo Boll. He suffered a lot every time he played with Walder.

[@LaughingStock71]

+EnoVarma That was kind of like "A lot to learn you still have, young padawan!"

[@arminnurkovic7018]

LaughingStock71 and then he learned and destroyed waldner later.

[@Kevin-zl3ci]

Armin Nurkovic 2004 OG

[@ein99999]

lmfao

[@robertlindberg7090]

Sheer magic. Look at the other players running like mad. J-O just stands there, in full control. Master!

[@GammaRayBurst417]

i really appreciate how gracious he is in victory, never choing or uttering a single word, despite making such great shots

[@matonatomic]

Yes, the Swedes are generally like that - look at their great Tennis Players - Stafan Edberg, Matts Willander...etc...Very calm and gracious.

[@yehenry2281]

Moregard gives you a big thumb down

[@ArnHaz]

​@@matonatomic Surely the best example would be Bjorn Borg?

[@matonatomic]

@@ArnHaz I would agree, but Bjorn Borg at his peak was before my time. Sadly, he has one blemish in that his arrogance tricked him in coming out of retirement to 'try' and beat the younger players with his wooden racket.

[@filipcza]

Timo became so good because he grew up playing against the master of placement. :) Just watching these games, I can feel how hard it is to play against him. He puts the ball where you least expect or want it. And the longer the ball lasts, the deeper the hole you end up with, running back and forth while he is just standing there. Must have been annoying to play agaist him. Anyone can become really good with enough practice. But this man has a rare talent for this sport.

[@gerrardoboh2139]

God bless you, he’s the Messi of Tennis

[@dickn.ormous1064]

Moregard destroyed him using Waldner's tactics so I doubt he learned much from his defeats.Rosskopf would did grow up playing against him certainly didn't.

[@ghlieme]

The man with the golden wrist. Easily my favourite player of all time.

[@1michael1maze]

3:08 No words....Simply The Best!!!

[@ABooJaed]

That "Nonchalant walk in the park" at 02:00 and "That's how it's done" at 03:13, though.

[@reng.2588]

I think the penholder was Liu Guoliang

[@Baresi-Unico-Capitano]

he just seems to be totally in one with the ball, table and bat. effortless

[@shogrran]

1:59 ... walking away already as if to say "nice try kid"

[@shogrran]

2:18 ... table tennis... the only sport fast enough where there's spectator LAG.

[@christianjoel6338]

hahahaha I laughed so hard at that part xD

[@frother]

What a fucking boss

[@Jackerian]

Its him and Mark Hunt who pulls that off

[@thijsgruwez9848]

simply amazing. "who's your daddy?" :-)

[@gladiator7731]

This is not just a talent. This is a gift from above because such perfect blocks and hits in miliseconds and delivering with such comfort and ease, have to be given by God.

[@bravehome4276]

Amen! One can't put in what God left out....

[@malstark5507]

All is god given

[@ger7177]

1:59 I dont know what is so amazing about that, its really easy! I tried that... i walked away just like Waldner did... of course, i missed the ball for a couple of meters but walking away is easy! xD xD what a genius!!!!

[@incognito8980]

JAJAJAJAJA

[@isithardtobevegan53]

Ger 717 i actually reproduced that Waldner walk and block but i blocked it with my backhand not forehand and my team mate told me “just like Waldner”.

[@rvsalonga3065]

@@isithardtobevegan53 i play table tennis too. How do you rank yourself ryt now? And is it really hard to be vegan?

[@isithardtobevegan53]

@@rvsalonga3065 not hard to be vegan in my opinion and I am still an amateur in the world of table tennis. Still.trying to improve of course.

[@rvsalonga3065]

@@isithardtobevegan53 how long have you been vegan dude? And what racket r u currently using ryt now?

[@hulimei1574]

He can see the future...

[@iuwdbwudbvhwduivhbwduivbii431]

Who can see the future...

[@vika0194]

Doc Brown can see it.

[@nithilas7211]

His Observation Haki is more advanced than Katakuri

[@MastroGeppetto96]

@Asian Caillou DIIIIIIOOOOOOO

[@chiranthmukund3843]

@@nithilas7211 one pieeeeecceeeeeeeee

[@sg3f2]

This guy is a legend. I don't really follow table tennis but i often heard this guy's name.

[@GecaPhoenix]

One word : genius

So Great...

[@lauracardona7111]

Tu

[@saulorodrigues3373]

missed ur videos man!

[@pontusolssonPrivat]

I have so many words of describing this guy. I don't want to bore you with all of them tho.

[@Elchupanibres]

he was truly something out of the ordinary, and made watching table tennis fun to Watch, and its pimp that ppl still in china talking about his legendery skills :D

[@KennyMcGavin]

Waldner playing TT reminds me of how Pirlo looked playing football. They made their respective sport look absolutely effortless, all while landing some of the most insane shots/passes you've ever seen vs the best players in the World 🔥

[@gfweis]

A part of the game I have never seen mastered like this. His nickname should be "eye of the storm" for his astonishing, casual cool in executing unbelievable closing shots off of blocks.

[@fobef]

Mozart was the Waldner of Composers.

[@andrewmccauley6262]

fobef Mozart had equals like Bach, Beethoven etc. Waldner didn't.

[@andreialexandruparfeni7129]

Andrew McCauley Well, Ma Long looks to be a threat to his GOAT ranking, and so did Liu and Kong in the past.

[@andrewmccauley6262]

I have great respect for Ma Long's skills, but I'd have to say there isn't much beautiful about his game like there is about Waldner's.

[@andreialexandruparfeni7129]

Andrew McCauley Of course, Waldner was able to be one of the greatest ever while also playing a "beautiful" style, with blocks and serves. It is subjective. I like Ma Long's fast loops but I understand that others prefer Waldner's old-school style.

[@iuwdbwudbvhwduivhbwduivbii431]

Mozart never played table tennis !!! 👿

[@rajatgarg6859]

He made TT look so simple from one side of table, while the one at other side was putting everything😇

[@bamboozledbob3298]

must be so frustrating to play against him...

[@sonnyrosenlozada5911]

lol idd

[@AugustinDelgado]

Rlly..

[@marcosmusixpcmusicam]

That's what Timo said in an interview

[@kaustuvpattnaik8553]

Very frustrating.

[@Zapruder1984]

Excellent skill. Confident, purposeful movement and focus without any wasted energy.

[@edoson01]

by far the most inspirational TT video out there

[@Brothaz2]

Back then Table tennis was a Swedish national treasure and J-O Waldner was both king and conqueror.

[@christianadriananiceta2753]

I'm new to this sport. and this guy play differently than the others... I mean the others focus on who can rally the most.. but this guy play so smart :D

[@polychronio]

+Christian Adrian Aniceta waldner is the king of table tennis...

[@christianadriananiceta2753]

polychronio I agree :D .. though I decided to based my style on Liu Guoliang since it felt suitable in my playing style more..

[@Ahldor]

+Christian Adrian Aniceta Yes indeed, you cant really copy Waldners playing style. It would be like coping Einstein in making equations. Sure, you can try, but you will most probably not even come close. Play a style that you love the most yourself. Everyone got their own style and that is what makes it more interesting.

[@christianadriananiceta2753]

Ahldor yeah :D playing penhold is hard but sure is fun for me.. and I play flat hit with short pips .. it seems to suit me better

[@dang5874]

Koki Niwa is also a pretty relaxed player and seems like he doesn't care at all hahaha also he has some crazy blocking skills with his chop block (watch the "Art of chop block" video). Kenta Matsudaira is also interesting

[@rylter]

This is pretty much the goal of all racket sports. Get your opponent running while you stand in the center and control the game. After a while, you not only have the psychological advantage but the physiological as well. When you're opponent is fatigued you still have plenty of energy to make the better decisions. Even though I was competing in martial arts growing up, J-O was still my biggest idol. A true 🐐

[@RaviKumar-vi9tb]

A well practised man can only play like him so simply and effortlessly. I remember Roger's quote here when somebody asked him how he plays with such simplicity and effortlessness.

[@RegisChapman]

I first played competitively during a time when he was the king of TT, and I am so glad for it.

[@ani3327]

2.00 That block to timo boll was hillarious! :D He made timo boll look like a beginner. Jan ove Waldner you legend!

[@Carraidas]

One of the greatest players in the world, if not the greatest.

[@dimasabd3186]

@Prototype10 who's the greatest?

[@劉子暘-y8m]

​@@dimasabd3186Ma Long rn Double grand slam,longest WR NO.1 and a lot more

[@xaviertipene9084]

Everyone comparing his game to today's, he had a gift for the game point blank......past, present, future.....

[@Kovalainenn]

2:00 his majesty Waldner the king

[@lidstrom3565]

Genious! I just love this ❤! The true GOAT of table tennis 🙏😍!

[@mohdsoffi902]

JO Waldner inspired me since 1990 he won Gold Olimpic Medal. He is really calming like a boss.

[@EdenZq]

haha, young Timo was very cute!

[@MasterNeoRNCP]

+EdenOreo And also confused. It's like what's the matter with me. :D

[@Nerdcrusher]

asl?

[@Maulwurfn81]

@@Nerdcrusher Now 40 male Düsseldorf

[@ramabhir]

The Yoda of table tennis ..absolute class…

[@michelmks]

Jedi Ove Waldner

[@davidbarth80]

I love the way he plays. Places the ball where ever he wants. Plays with his opponent. Will watch other players and make a comparison about styles to see the differences.

[@MRDOA66]

Jan Ove Waldner, the Maestro, Tactician, one of the all time greats of Table-Tennis.

[@ultragrisen]

King of tabletennis!

[@allancnc]

Amazing how little he moves around, he makes the opponent run back and forth :)

[@anonymousSWE]

That's why he put on some weight. Dude never had to move :)

[@freakomat]

Look at all these poor dudes, struggling like there's no tomorrow. And Waldners just like: whatever…

[@JuniorLevrone]

Penso que esse jogador talvez seja o mais sangue frio que já existiu jogando tênis de mesa , ele respondia uma cortada simplesmente andando e devolvendo longe do seu adversário , incrível!

[@lawcharmloch1226]

Great Respect him from China. He almost alone competed with three generations of Chinese TT team.

[@robboham2614]

The play at 2.00 is probably the best executed point I have ever seen...Genius.

[@monugupta32]

The way he changes the spin is just great to watch .. !

[@suddendeath4318]

Der Roger Federer des Tischtennis...!! Einfach der genialste Spieler aller Zeiten!!

[@SuperHammaren]

For Waldner it was also important to give the audience something extra, to put a show on. It happened that he lost because of this, but he won many hearts because of this.

[@Imran-OG619]

Effortless brilliant and maximum

[@lazyboy456ify]

Lol the match at 1:56 where he literally starts to walk off and proceeds to block while doing so.

[@erberlon]

And his opponent is like "dude what?"

[@Hhbvfhhhhgvbbfdccd]

Ken Yun the craziest bit is that that opponent is Timo Boll!!

[@imperialmarchinhumanbowels5726]

Such confidence "I know you are going to return it exactly here and I know you will not return my block."

[@dickn.ormous1064]

@@imperialmarchinhumanbowels5726 He knew he was going to direct it cross court because returning a ball with so much sidespin down the line is extremely difficult.

[@cbsxxz]

He looks like a 👧

[@Heiheikki]

Jan Ove Waldner was so chill😎

[@arimanno74]

looks like aikido in table tennis. Or a weird kind of premonition... absolutely amazing!

[@jagutichsachma]

I am german and Boll is an amazing player himself but it's hilarious how frustrated he is getting beat by those blocks.

[@glassjaw2007]

02:12 "this is already finished kiddo" walks away like a BOSS

[@wilsson7149]

he is so humble and greatest player in the table tennis history

[@stevehines311]

Ma long is the goat no disrespect to waldner but I don't think anyone beats 2015 ma long

[@dickn.ormous1064]

​@@stevehines311 2015 Ma Long seems invincible 'cause he played against minnows.

[@Chrille5782]

Grattis på 50-års dagen

[@Greyalist]

2:00 is fantastic

[@robertpiseno6483]

3:10 listen for "three one seven" right when it hits that time!

[@andreialexandruparfeni7129]

Robert Piseno Well, Waldner won that set against Liu 21-7 from what I recall.

[@FrankGixx99Motovlog]

I've never seen Ma Long hit those blocks like how Waldner did!!! WOW!

[@vincenttheo8841]

+Frank Anthony Gablines Haha Waldner was great, but Ma Long is on another level. Table-tennis has evolved so much now.

[@imbarelybreathing]

+Vincent Theo that "another level" made ma long a lesser god

[@MasterNeoRNCP]

+Frank Anthony Gablines Because Ma Long has a power game. He uses brutal force. His forehand smash has no equal. But it's not durable.(Fade with the time) Tha'ts common for most of the attaching players. But Waldner had a different game. He is smart, and calculative. He relies on strategy than force.That's why he was able to beat 3 generations of Chinese players and played till his 40s.The last short is the best example. Hyu also had a powerful forehand. (Like Ma) See what happens. It's not the shot is bad. Waldner uses his own force against him. Like Tai Chi or Newtons 3rd law. :)

[@KA-eu9sy]

@@MasterNeoRNCP Very well said. Love it!

[@jiwonkim7536]

1:55 " I'm gonna beat you Jan!" 2:00 " You were saying?"

[@galangveteriner13]

His reflex is just ubelievable

[@robinkjellberg6796]

This man ruled for decades, beating generations of players. My favourite Swedish athlete. It’s said that because of his gift he could of chosen any ball sport. I suppose table tennis suited him, because he never seemed to like running much, he rarely had to.

[@badenbaldry50]

Waldner. Stationary, subtle, sublime.

[@sadeqmurar2794]

So confident, dominant and sure!

[@sima7159]

こんな凄い選手がいたなんて、今まで知らなかった。ネットのおかげだ。 現代の日本卓球に活かされているように思う。 横文字だらけのコメントに、是非とも日本語を残したかった。

[@kanekokazuko7034]

20年以上前、幕張メッセで行われた、世界卓球を観戦、予選リーグなので、間近に観ました、真っ白で、細くて、神業のプレイに、釘付けになりました。移動ですれ違うとき、思わず背中をタッチしてしまいました。懐かしいです。

[@amarabudi1000]

1:58 he is already know a second in the future

[@tomrailton9201]

Definitely THE GOAT in my book I was a good player in my day County standard and I don't think I would have got a couple of points off of him that man is a genius. Take care Jan and stay safe mate love to play you one day. Tom.

[@kaustuvpattnaik8553]

At 3:12... What a great shot from Liu Guoliang..& the legend replied as try next time. Like a boss!!

[@jasonhuhare]

Waldner is always the greatest player forever and ever...

[@AncientWisdom222]

Fantastic anticipation ! Even Boll appreciated the genius.

[@rafishaikh3598]

Waldner, no doubt, REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST GIFTED & TALENTED table tennis players of ALL TIMES. ESPECIALLY NO LOOK BLOCKS & DEFENSE SKILLS IN TABLE TENNIS. SO ACCURATE, SWISS WATCH. OPPONENTS WATCH HIS BLOCKS. RAFI KITTERY MAINE USA

[@glenngastonjonsson7954]

I suppose you got your message across. And I agree, JO is special. But he doesn't want people to shout about it.

[@gronz]

my all time favourite

[@niklastorshagen6365]

1:07 Pure genius

[@FEDE80]

Love his style!

[@__Aurora__]

I love his determination and his shyness. 💪🇸🇪

[@Nerdcrusher]

Congrats, Timo, you get to be in a highlight reel.

[@simonbloch1497]

Federer of table tennis everything is so easy for him effortless so much control of the ball Impressive

[@sladjanivkovic2]

Man, he plays it so effortlessly. I can see why people call him GOAT.

[@DKS-75]

Blocks and Placement, unmatched.

[@MrVoland999]

this is so beautiful its almost art....very few people can match Waldner in that department. Maybe Samsonov....

[@kernzyp]

The cheekiness is awe inspiring :)

[@suatkayatennis]

Waldner sustained a world-class level for 3 decades. Facing 3-4 breeds of new and world-class players from China plus the rest of the world and defeating them all. Waldner faced massive game-changing factors including; Speed glue, change of ball size, new high tech rubbers, new scoring system and adapted to all with great success. Waldner also reached the highest-level TT had ever seen in his prime and raised the level a few times. Waldner was far more creative and constantly developing his game by reinventing himself. This gave him the ability to beat world class players and compete for major titles up until he was 45 years old. Waldner did not come from a nation of 200 million TT players. He did not have the best infrastructure such as China and yet from a small TT community in Sweden he enabled himself to become the greatest player anyone had ever seen back in the ’80s-’90s and early ’00s.

[@g.o.a.t262]

China had a population of 1000 millon people in the 80 - 90´s and Sweden around 10...and during 71- 2000 Sweden devolped servral world champs which is nothing but astonishing. 1989 the swedish team crushed China with 5-0 in the World championship. That will never happen again from such a small country. But i should never say never...Mathias Karlsson reached the World cfinal 2019 singels and won gold 2021 with a NEW swede snatching silver in singles, Truls Möregårdh who plays a bit like Waldner. Badminton is the only sport with simular sensation. Denmark with 5-6 millions has produced wchamps since the 70´s and are currently world c and olympic champs in singels against mighty asians of at least 1500 millions.

[@hotmixal]

Super reflex!

[@alfonsthorn5315]

The best of all time "The forever green tree"

[@TheWladovic]

2:00 - LIKE A BOSS

[@12tn2]

1:58 utter humiliation... that moment of easiness is priceless.

[@tesleemmudashiru6993]

Extraordinary.

[@seantiwell9717]

1:59 like a BOSS!!!

[@bannlystman8644]

That first point against Boll, I mean give me a break, that just ridiculous - he was something else, I cant think of a player but perhaps one or two that comes close to his control. Outstanding.

[@ikarljoseph]

He is joy to watch. Not just offence all the time.

[@petertordjunehag1055]

I dont care about them chinese players titles. This is the most gifted player ever. He does things noone can believe. Its crazy, beyond normal

[@Destames]

1:55 OMG!

[@mrgzola25]

The last block had a touch of Jedi. He is the master :-)

[@juanfernandocastilla2845]

besides hours of practice this guy is extremely talented. IT'S talent it's a gift from the GODS