Nigeria’s table tennis star Aruna Quadri has confessed that he struggled to deal with the serve of Denmark’s Anders Lind after suffering a straight-sets defeat in the opening round of the China Smash tournament.
Quadri, ranked among Africa’s top players, went into the contest hoping to make a deep run, but found himself outclassed by the young Dane, who dominated key points with his aggressive service game.
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Speaking after the match, Quadri was candid about his struggles. “I had problems reading his serve. Every time I thought I had adjusted, he changed his spin or placement. It was very difficult for me today,” he said. “It looks like a big scoreline, but each set was close. I tried everything, but it wasn’t enough.”
Despite the disappointment, the Nigerian thanked Chinese fans for their warm support. “I always feel at home in China because of the fans. They show me so much love, and that means a lot even in defeat,” he said.
Quadri also lightened the mood with a joke about food, drawing laughter during his post-match chat. “Nigeria and China are not so different when it comes to food. We both love our spice,” he quipped. “Maybe I’ll take some pepper back home as motivation for my next tournament.”
Looking ahead, the 35-year-old said he will focus on learning from the defeat and improving. “This is what makes the sport exciting — every opponent brings something different. I will go back, work on my return game, and be better prepared for the next event.”
Quadri remains one of Africa’s most consistent performers and is already targeting a comeback at upcoming international competitions.
