Paddling in uncharted waters

"I am truly happy to embrace more challenges in my career. Going through them will not only enrich my career, but also, I hope, make me a better person."

Saarbrucken has maintained a top-level presence in European table tennis over the past four years, winning one Bundesliga title and finishing runner-up three times, while also securing three consecutive Champions League crowns.

"It's a fantastic team with a strong sense of unity," Fan said.

"For me, it's not just about competition, more importantly, it's about growing together with my teammates and creating unforgettable memories in the new season."

He expressed gratitude for the support from his club, noting the kindness of everyone within the organization in helping him adapt to and navigate various new challenges.

Despite Fan's inconsistent Bundesliga start, he's received unwavering support from teammates and fans.

Slovenian teammate Darko Jorgic expressed understanding, explaining that Fan simply needed time to adapt.

"The tables, the balls, the players — everything is different here. But we have many more matches ahead, and I'm sure the 'real Fan Zhendong' will be back," said Jorgic.

For club captain Patrick Franziska, having Fan as a teammate is "incredible".

"I am sure we can learn a lot from each other, grow together and enjoy competing side by side," said Franziska.

He shared that the two have hit it off well, often running errands together, like going grocery shopping, or watching football matches, building a strong connection beyond the training hall. The captain also plans to show Fan around Saarbrucken's local attractions.

The signing of the Chinese table tennis superstar has ignited unprecedented enthusiasm at the German club. Season ticket inquiries have soared, local hotel bookings have increased and organizers are now considering moving matches to larger venues to accommodate the growing number of fans. The match against Borussia Dusseldorf on Dec 21 will now be held at the 3,500-seat Saarlandhalle Saarbrucken.

The club's followers on the Chinese social media platform Sina Weibo skyrocketed from 10,000 to nearly 320,000. Even Fan's club jersey has become an instant bestseller.

Club manager Nicolas Barrois described the response to Fan's arrival as "crazy".

He noted that supporters from across Europe and China are booking flights simply "to see him once".

To handle the overwhelming demand, the club has set up a ticket resale platform "to allow as many fans as possible to attend", the manager said, adding that 90 percent of season tickets were purchased by fans in China.

The manager broadly views Fan's arrival as a chance for deeper collaboration with Chinese table tennis.

"China has always been No 1 in the world," said Barrois.

"We can learn a lot from our Chinese colleagues, and this is very important for the entire European table tennis community."

China remains a priority for Fan, too. After the Werder Bremen clash, he flew back to Shanghai to prepare for the National Games, where he will represent the East China metropolis in the men's team and singles events from Nov 7-20 at the Galaxy Arena in Macao.