Here is a fairly long interview article that appears in Sports Weekly.
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September 24 afternoon in Sydney. Kong Linghui and his best friend Liu Guoliiang were playing in their respective semifinal matches. They had wanted to meet each other in the finals, but instead Kong would face China's leading opponent for the last 15 years, Waldner, in the gold medal match. This would be their 3rd match-up this year, and Kong had won the previous two.
"If I played Liu, there would have been very little pressure, since we're both Chinese. I was not afraid to face Waldner, because I knew him so well, and because I beat him twice this year. I thought I had the mental edge."
When Kong won the Worlds in 1995, a lot of people did not think much of it, because he was relatively unknown, and he beat his teammate Liu who eliminated Waldner. In a certain way, playing Waldner is a litmus test. The gold shines brighter if you could beat Waldner. Kong understood this. He knew what awaited him if he should lose this match, and what he would get if he should win it. But by this time, Kong had overcome the embarrassment of being "owned" by Waldner. Instead, after losing so many times, Kong had found the secret to beating Waldner.
"When I played Waldner in the past, I always had to follow his tempo; when he changed it I had to change also, so I always felt passive. Then I analyzed this with my coaches, and came to the conclusion that when you play someone like Waldner who is so good with variations, the best thing is to not change when he keeps changing: he plays his tempo and I play mine.Tactically, keep it simple. After service, play two and three transition rounds, and then exchange rallies with him. When rallying, try to move the ball to his forehand, until he has to stand in the middle so that he cannot initiate anything. Then I will win. Of course, this tactic is based on the fact that I am better in extended rallies than him, and may not apply in general (to everyone)."
Kong followed this plan with determination, and took the first 2 games. But Waldner would not be Waldner if he would give up so easily. In the 3rd game, Waldner increased the ferocity of his attacks, and played the first 3-shots much more aggressively. Also, in rallies he would slow down the pace so that Kong could not re-use his power. He won the next two games, using his great experience.
The 2-2 game score reminded Kong of the quarter final match between Samsonov and Waldner. "Of all the matches I have seen in the Olympics, that one had the deepest impression on me. Samsonov almost never lost to Waldner in the recent past, and he played the first 2 games without any difficulty. Then he got a little tight, and Waldner seized that very small opportunity. I told myself I would not be like Samsonov; I had to open up in the 5th game. So starting the 5th game, I increased my attacks, and did not dare to let up. Waldner might have been playing a little too safe after he tied me in games. So I jumped to a 10-1 lead, and basically that was the game. After I won, I was especially emotional, because winning was not easy. If I had won 3-0, I don't think I would have been as emotional."
The victory made Kong the third player to have the grand slam title. The road to this title had been long and difficult.
"When I won the Worlds in '95, not too many people knew me, so it was easier. And I played so well that year; I almost did not lose a match that whole year. I also won the World Cup, too."
Kong's star shone brightly, and, with his good looks, became a media idol. In 1996, Kong played in the Olympics as a heavy favorite. But then he got beat by Kim Taek Soo who was playing exceptionally well. He did not even make the final 8. Although he won the doubles with Liu, Kong had fallen hard and deep. That year he did not even made it out of the preliminary round in the World Cup, losing to Hugo Hoyama of Brazil. After that, Kong's characteristic calmness disappeared. He became sensitive and fragile, the cheering of the fans could distract him, and the table or the floor all seemed to play tricks on him. He was very quiet with the media.
"Starting at that time, I did not care what others say about me. My style was generally criticized as being too much like a old player's and not aggressive enough. I thought about this for a long time, and realized that the criticism was deserved. From then on, I started to play with more ferocity, and much more agressive with my 3rd ball attacks. I also started to lift myself up by yelling out during the match."
In this year's World Club Championships, Kong played particularly well. But he held himself back, so that he would not peak too early. That was the lesson he learned in Atlanta. "I have learned to control myself. I guess I am a little more mature now", he said.
"I remember I was very excited after I won in 1995. I could not calm down for a long time. This time after I won the Olympics gold, I felt calm very quickly afterwards. I know I won because I was able to stay cool during the match, and that does not mean that I do not have any more mental weaknesses. For example, when I am ahead, I sometimes play safe and wait for the other side to make mistakes. Also, my forehand against short balls need to be strengthened. Next month we start playing the big ball. There are so many technical issues to work on".
Kong has started focusing on the future.