Eli Ho and Matthew Ball are both prominent figures in New Zealand table tennis, and their matchups have drawn attention in recent regional championships.
- 2025 North Island Championship Open Men’s Final: Eli Ho faced Matthew Ball in the final, as highlighted in recent coverage. This match underscores Ho’s rapid rise in the sport, as he has been recognized for his tournament performances and improvement over the past few years.
- Previous Encounters: They also played against each other in the 2024 North Island Championships, where their match was noted for Ho’s “long pimples attack” style.
- Backgrounds:
- Eli Ho is a young, fast-rising player. He was named Table Tennis New Zealand’s Most Improved Junior Boy in 2021 after a remarkable season, winning 84 out of 107 matches and performing strongly in multiple age and open categories. By 2025, he is representing New Zealand and continues to attract media attention for his achievements.
- Matthew Ball is a seasoned player and highly respected coach, having been named Coach of the Year by Table Tennis New Zealand in 2021 and previously in 2017. He has contributed significantly to the sport in Manawatu as both a competitor and mentor.
Their matches, especially the 2025 North Island Championship final, represent a generational contest: a talented junior (Ho) challenging an established player and coach (Ball). The matchup itself is significant for New Zealand table tennis, highlighting Ho’s ascent and Ball’s enduring presence in the sport.
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Key Differences in Playing Styles: Eli Ho vs Matthew Ball
Eli Ho: The TigerWing Innovator
- Hybrid Grip & Racket Setup: Eli Ho uses the unique “TigerWing” style, a hybrid between the Japanese penhold and shakehand grips. This allows him to switch quickly between different surfaces and shots, increasing his tactical options.
- Long Pimple (LP) Rubber Mastery: Ho’s backhand features long pimple rubber, which he uses for heavy spin variation, disruptive blocks, and unpredictable returns. He frequently twiddles his racket, alternating between LP and inverted rubber to confuse opponents.
- Reverse Shakehand Backhand (RSB): He employs the RSB technique, enabling powerful backhand topspins and a wide range of attacks from the backhand side.
- Three/Four-Sided Attack: Ho’s style is described as having a “three-sided” or “four-sided” attack, meaning he can generate offense from multiple racket surfaces and angles, making his play highly deceptive and difficult to read.
- Close-to-Table Aggression: He prefers to stay close to the table, using fast, aggressive strokes, especially on the backhand, and capitalizing on his speed and wrist flexibility.
- Psychological Edge: The rarity and complexity of his style often unsettle opponents, giving him a psychological advantage.
Matthew Ball: The Classic Tactician
- Strong Backhand: His backhand is a signature weapon, used both for attack and control. He prefers to set up points to finish with his backhand, using it as his main offensive tool.
- Composed and Methodical: Ball maintains a calm, unemotional demeanor during matches, using psychological composure to his advantage and often outmaneuvering less experienced players through patience and consistency.
- Conventional Rubber Setup: Unlike Ho, Ball does not use long pips or hybrid setups, instead relying on standard inverted rubbers and classic grip techniques.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Eli Ho (TigerWing) | Matthew Ball (Classic) |
|---|---|---|
| Grip | Hybrid (TigerWing: penhold + shakehand) | Traditional shakehand |
| Racket Setup | Inverted + long pimple, frequent twiddling | Standard inverted rubbers |
| Backhand | RSB, LP, deceptive, multi-surface | Strong, classic, main offensive tool |
| Tactical Focus | Deception, spin variation, unpredictability | Short rallies, tactical placement |
| Playing Distance | Close to table, aggressive | Mid/close, methodical |
| Psychological Edge | Unsettles with unpredictability | Calm, composed, strategic |
| Style Description | Innovative, unconventional, multi-angled attack | Classic, orthodox, tactical |
Summary
Eli Ho is an innovator with a highly deceptive, hybrid style that leverages equipment and grip versatility to disrupt opponents, while Matthew Ball exemplifies classic, tactical table tennis, relying on traditional techniques, strong backhand play, and strategic, composed point construction.
TigerWing Table Tennis 翼虎乒乓 