The 2024 edition of the China Construction Bank Europe Top 16 Cup marks the 10th appearance for Portugal’s star Marcos FREITAS. The winner of the 2014 edition in Lausanne and a two-time runner-up in 2021 and 2015 he finished ninth last season. Currently Marcos is participating in the WTT Star Contender Doha 2024.
“I will start tomorrow and I still await the name of my adversary. I hope to perform well here. This is my first tournament of the year after a very successful end to 2023. I am thrilled with the results we achieved with the club. A.S PONTOISE-CERGY TT had good results in the National League and the Champions League. I hope to continue in the same vein ” said FREITAS.
Marcos’ confidence comes from his satisfaction with his current form.
“I am in good form. I feel confident because my body is strong now. Here in Doha the top players are listed and the level of the quality of the players is very strong. It is almost at the World Championships level of the tournament. I will have to play at the top level to achieve a good result.”
Afterwards Marcos will fly back to Europe where the 2024 CBB Europe Top 16 Cup will take place in Montreux on Saturday January 20th and Sunday January 21st.
“I have played there so many times and I am proud of my three podium finishes in the past. As always my goal is to go as far as possible. It is a short event; in two days anything could happen. I am focused on good preparations to overcome the opening duel and then to fight for a place on the podium. There are always a lot of spectators; it is one of the most important events in the calendar and I always enjoy playing there. Montreux is an iconic place that always makes me look forward to coming back ” said FREITAS.
For sure fierce competition also makes the event worthy. At this year’s edition alongside FREITAS in Montreux are players such as Felix LEBRUN of France Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Dang QIU of Germany Slovenian Darko JORGI Swedes Anton KALLBERG and Truls MOREGARD Alexis LEBRUN of France Liam PITCHFORD of England Danes Jonathan GROTH and Anders LIND Portugal’s Joao GERALDO Spain’s Alvaro ROBLES Croatia’s Tomislav PUCAR Ukraine’s Yaroslav ZHMUDENKO and the host nation representative Loic STOLL.
“It is hard to choose one favorite. There are a lot of good players. I have to note there are many young players coming up and improving really fast which is good for the sport. For sure we have players from older generations still in good shape with vast experience. I am sure it will be interesting for the spectators and for the people who follow our sport to see youngsters coming strong in the clash with the elders who are trying to keep up with the young ones. That is a good moment for the sport and good news for European table tennis having a bright future ahead of us.”
What is your highlight of 2023?
“The best moment for me was the recovery from the injury. I struggled for a long time and 2023 brought me a new chance and a new beginning after I finally managed to break free from the injuries. I built up my shape and body and from the summer I started to play more and to improve my game with regular training. Alongside that improvement came the second place at the European Games in singles the title at the WTT Contender in Peru and a semifinal at the WTT Contender Almaty. But on top of all it was to recover physically and to return to the training as I used to.”
What are your top goals in 2024?
“I want to keep my body strong and play well because this is an important year for us. The 2024 Olympics are close and I hope I will be qualified because that is the most important milestone in my career every four years.”
