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james sprackling 1

Interview with James Sprackling
Part 1

This interview with James Sprackling was conducted using email between Feb 2006 and February 2007.

James is a team captain in the Wembley and Harrow league that has succeeded in winning the League title for DHS London Progress for the past 11 years. James has also played for Middlesex County, played in the British League Division 3, 2 and still plays in DHS London Progress Division 1 South team.


How old you were when you started playing table-tennis? I was 11.

How much does table-tennis mean to you? It means a great deal to me. I have been playing for 21 years now and it has been and remains a big part of my life. I think I would find it hard to stop now.

In which countries (if any other) have you played? Mainly in England but also N. Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Holland and Poland.

"I have played several international players like Alan Cooke and Alex Perry but I don't count these as great opponents."

What major obstacles have you had to overcome to play continuously? To reach a good level at any sport requires spending a lot of time practicing. When you have other things to do, like study or work, making time to practice as well can be difficult and very tiring. You end up having no time for anything apart from TT and work. So my major obstacles have been time to play as often as I'd like.

When or on what occasion did you first realised that you had Table Tennis talent? I have always been good at sports but I first realised I had 'talent' after doing well in junior tournaments.

How has table tennis influenced your outlook if at all? I have reached a good level at Table Tennis. That has given me confidence to believe that when I go onto the table I am going to do well and this confidence also spills out into other areas of my life.

Is the way you play table tennis a reflection of your character? I think so. On the table I am determined although I try to be quite relaxed. When the pressure is on though I step up a gear and my concentration and focus are at their max. I rarely get distracted during a game if I am under pressure.

Who is/was or has been your greatest opponent? Over the years I have played several international players like Alan Cooke and Alex Perry but I don't count these as great opponents. My greatest opponents have been players like Costas, John Taylor, Glen Wilkes and Dov Katz who I battle with year-in year-out the Wembley and Harrow league.

Can you recall the times you were "in the zone" when everything went perfectly and seemed to happen without effort? I think I have been in the zone many times but unfortunately it never lasts long enough. You realise you were in the zone when you come out of the zone! The zone was much better when the games were up to 21.


james sprakling 2

Have you noticed that many players seem to lose games after being 2-0 up? It is quite common for this to happen. Either one player steps up a gear and at the same time their opponents just takes their foot off the gas.

Have you ever been in that situation and lost? It has happened to me as much as anyone that you play really well in the start of a match, just ease up in the second and by the third game your shots just seam to miss and your opponent gets everything on. It does show the importance of concentration and having a game plan to focus on.

Have you ever lost a game where it absolutely hurt afterwards? Yes. Every game hurts to lose but hurts especially when you have not played as well as you should have or know you could have. When this happens in the final of a tournament it hurts the worse way possible and takes a long time to get over.

Have you ever lost your temper in a game because of something you or another player did?
Yes. I try very hard not to loose my temper, but I have been angered by my opponent before and it is difficult to fully focus on the match. Fortunately in TT, most players tend to be good sports and it is just a few people who need to sort themselves out.

To be continued

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