With the 2019/2020 campaign drawing to a premature end due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Matthew (19) has returned to England for some much-deserved rest. Despite the early cancellation of NRW Liga, Matthew reflects on what has been on the whole a successful season.

Matthew competed in a number of international tournaments over the course of 2019-2020, including the ITTF Challenge Plus Portugal Open where Matthew reached the last 32 in the U21 singles [a personal best to date].

Not only did Matthew impress on the table but he has also seen a great improvement in his ITTF World Ranking.

In June 2019, Matthew debuted on the ITTF World Ranking lists, positioned at 709 (Senior Men’s) and 170 (U21 Men Singles). The latest World Ranking lists, correct as of April 2020, sees Matthew climb to 523^rd (Senior Men’s) and 48^th (U21). As a result, Matthew is currently the fifth highest World Ranked table tennis player from England in the Senior Men’s category, as well as the second highest in the U21 category.

On the strength of Matthew’s U21 ranking, he was selected to represent England at the 2020 U21 European Championships held in Croatia in March. Matthew was the sole male player representing England at the tournament. This proved an invaluable learning experience for the 19-Year-old, which will undoubtedly help further his game in the future.

Despite the early cancellation of German league action, Matthew has enjoyed a fruitful season with TTG Niederkassel and would like to thank the club for its support. Now, Matthew is delighted to announce that he has signed for Spvgg Ottenau to play as their number 1 in the Badenliga. Matthew looks forward to representing Spvgg Ottenau, as well as continuing to live and train in Germany at Grünwettersbach in the forthcoming season.