#rackets

Table tennis as we know it today, started in the late 1880s in England.

Game makers were trying to emulate the popularity of Lawn Tennis by developing indoor versions of it.

So early versions were made by different game manufacturers who each used their own exclusive patented or trademarked names.

These names include Indoor Tennis, Gossima, Whiff-Waff and Ping Pong and dice games, rackets&balloon and even tiddley winks games

But the first action game of tennis on a table was in 1890.

In the 1920s the owners of the trademarked name "Ping Pong" started to threaten legal action against anybody who used their name without specifying the use of their equipment, so an alternative name was required - and Table Tennis was chosen as the official name for this international sport.

ITTF- International Table Tennis Federation

The Governing body of table tennis -the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)-was formed in January 1926 by representatives from the Table Tennis Associations of Austria, England, Germany and Hungary.

Following that meeting, Austria, Czechoslovakia, England, Germany, Hungary, India, Sweden and Wales were all invited to become the original members of the ITTF.

They also agreed the first Constitution and the original rules of Table Tennis in December 1926.

Many of the original rules remain relatively unchanged after nearly 100 years of use.

There are more than 1,600 varieties of table tennis rubbers

To compete in sanctioned table tennis events, players can only use authorised racket coverings (rubbers) on their rackets.

One side must be black and the other side must be bright red, pink, purple, green or blue, but players can use different varieties on each side of their racket.

There are more than 1,600 varieties of table tennis rubbers on the authorised list.

Rubbers are either smooth or pimpled and by using different rubbers, players can impart different spins on the ball.

Table Tennis is the most popular indoor sport in the world

Table tennis is the most popular indoor sport in the world with 227 Associations from countries and territories all around the world being affiliated to the International Table Tennis Federation.

Table tennis is played at the Olympic games and the Paralympic games and 552.3 million viewers watched the 2016 Rio Olympic Games table tennis events.

The sport is popular because it can be played by everyone, whatever their age or physical attributes.

And although it an indoor sport, it can also be played outdoors as a social event.

Table tennis balls are now made from plastic

From 1901 table tennis balls were made of celluloid, but these are now being phased out.

Since 1 July 2014 all International events only use table tennis balls made from plastic.

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Akale stood on shaky feet, one had clasped tight in Ethan’s to keep her from falling

“What are you doing here?”

His facade failed, and the only thing he could manage was incoherent sputtering

That, in turn, planted a shy smile on her face. “Saw me and decided you wanted to cash in the shirt I owe you?”

“I-I, um, yes. I mean, I saw you and...I just wanted to talk to you again.” Why did he sound like that?

Akale opened her mouth to respond, but Roxie beat her to it. “As much fun as this little reunion is, Akale we-“

“I-I know, um, Ethan?” She nodded at their intertwined hands and he boredom let got then shot a glare at Kevin. Akale slowly moved over to Kevin and dragged him right back out the oak doors. Kevin was surprised that instead of harsh yelling, she smiled again at him

“You know, following me around kinda makes you a stalker”

“It does not”

“Yes, it does,” Kevin looked her up and down, despite the fall minutes earlier, she seemed happy. Happier than their meeting at the grocery store, which was good. Her smile was a good thing to see, “We can go shirt shopping after my practice, if you...you want.” The smile fell as what seemed like her shier side took over

“That would, uh,” Shit, he promised Andrew he’d be an hour, he only had twenty minutes left. “I can’t stay long, how about next Monday?”

“Uh, sure..sure.” A strand of hair fell in front of her face. Quieter, she asked, “How long can you stay?”

“Fifteen minutes, I suppose.” He needed the last five for his sprint back to Fox Tower. Akale nodded, and glanced back at the oak doors.

“If you want, I mean- You don’t have to, but like, uh, you can dance with us. Me, I mean.”

“I don’t want to intrude, I don’t even know how to dance.”

“You don’t have to stay. I just, thought I’d invite you to.”

“I don’t want to be a bother.”

“You’re no bother.”

“Oh my gosh shut up already,” Ethan leaned out the oak doors and stared at the both of them. “You only have an hour today, Akale. Is the beef cake staying or going?” Kevin and Akale both reddened, looked at each other and then the ground

“I can stay, for a few minutes.” Akale nodded, then followed Ethan back into the room without a glance back. Kevin following, ignoring the look Ethan gave him

And especially ignoring the look Roxie was giving the number tattooed across his cheek. She stared at it for longer than he liked then turned back to Akale and Ethan. “Akale, how do you feel?”

“Steady.”

“Good, now, let’s start from the top.” Akale nodded, wrapped her arms around Ethan and started again. Their second attempted faired much better, not slips, no falls, nothing

Kevin watch, his intrigue growing with each move. Powerful like Exy, but Akale carried a different kind of grace than on the court

With ten minutes left, Akale turned to Kevin and smiled. “Here, take my hand and follow my lead.” Kevin hesitated for only a moment, then let his curiosity take over and took it

Clumsy was about the right word for when Kevin did next. He wasn’t exactly built for ballet

In the end, all three of them collapsed against each other, laughing and smiling. Kevin didn’t know them well, but if everyday would end with him feeling this lighter, he could get used to it

Tennis players, The University of Iowa, 1950s

Creator: unknown