The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) is rolling out an enhanced version of the Table Tennis Review (TTR) system at the ITTF Men’s and Women’s World Cup Macao 2025, reinforcing its commitment to fairness, accuracy, and innovation in officiating.
The TTR system, comparable to video review technologies used in other global sports, enables players to challenge umpire decisions on selected contentious points. Using state-of-the-art ball tracking and instant replay tools, the system ensures greater precision in critical match situations.
Key Features of the TTR System
Each player is granted two reviews per match. A successful or inconclusive challenge retains the review count, while an unsuccessful one results in the loss of a review. To assess challenges, TTR Match Officials analyse footage using multiple camera angles and replay speeds before determining whether to uphold or overturn the original decision.
The following scenarios are eligible for review:
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Edge ball
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Service net
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Service toss height (minimum 16 cm)
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Service toss angle (maximum 30 degrees)
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Ball visibility during service (ball hiding)
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Service toss below the playing surface
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Service toss inside the playing surface
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Obstruction
Should a review be inconclusive, the on-court umpire’s original decision will stand.
The implementation of the improved TTR system in Macao continues the ITTF’s drive to enhance transparency and consistency in officiating, giving athletes greater confidence in the fairness of competition and offering fans a closer look at the intricacies of the game.
