Last year at the World Championships in Budapest Mattias FALCK reached the final of the Men’s Singles Event and won the first Swedish medal in men’s singles since Jan-Ove WALDNER took the bronze in 1999; and it was first silver after WALDNER’s final in 1997. On his way to the ultimate stage Swede beat Korean player LEE Sangsu French number one Simon GAUZY AN Jaehyun of South Korea. FALCK was stopped in the final against World Champion from 2015 and 2017 China’s MA Long.
Mattias FALCK spends his time during the break in events in Sweden with his family wife Julia and six months old daughter Lexie.
“I am in Halmstad where I lived and have been since after Qatar Open and the last round of Bundesliga that I played. In Sweden the situation has been tough but it has not been any lockdown yet so I have been able to practice table tennis and the fitness I do at my home. I also try to run at least two times per week ” explained FALCK.
Mattias is the only Swedish player that has clinched three gold medals in the Swedish Junior Championships winning 3 titles in a row 2007 – 2009.
“The first ever award I remember is my first junior Swedish national title. I won it three times and I am the only one in the history who did it so I’m happy with that.”
He started to play in Lyckeby BTK.
“I started to play table tennis when I was 7 years old. I started because my father played. I was many times with him for his practice and after that he played with me and I really enjoyed it so I wanted to start to play in a club. Same club as my father played for during that time.”
When you realize it will become your professional call?
“I would say around the time I was 16 and moved to a high school with table tennis as the main focus ” said FALCK and stated that he never thought of quitting. “No never felt that but of course there have been tough times. But I always had great support and help from home to help me with the struggle and tougher times. I think there will always be tougher times for all athletes. It will make you stronger when you overcome those tougher times.”
FALCK underlined two special moments.
“The most memorised moments are of course my silver medal in the recent World Championships. It was an amazing tournament and the best and most awesome moment so far in my career. The second most is for sure our bronze medal in team World Championships at home soil in Halmstad and that is also the city I lived in for the past 10 years. So that was also a really special moment.”
Person that impressed you the most?
“I always admire Jorgen PERSSON and look up to him and how he played the game.”
Biggest regret in career?
“I have no regrets so far in my career I’m happy with all the choices I’ve made.”
Greatest happiness so far?
“My daughter ❤”
Greatest sadness?
“When me and Kristian KARLSSON lost the quarter final in Doubles at the Budapest World Championships. We have been aiming for a medal in doubles for many years but been close and now we lost in the quarter final and that was really tough.”
Legacy of the sport?
“I hope that more will play with differently style and that I can help more players to go their own way and show them that there’s many ways to success. I also hope that I can contribute to more players in Sweden and that the sport here will expand more.”
What is the next goal to achieve?
“To win an Olympic medal. It has always been my dream since I was a little child and now it is my goal. Looking forward to 2021 Olympic Games and I hope I will be in my best shape there and fight for the medals ” concluded FALCK.
