Why they rank here
Zhang Jike burst to the top with unmatched speed, completing the career Grand Slam in just 445 days, the fastest in history, by winning the 2011 World Championship, the 2011 World Cup and the London 2012 Olympic singles title in rapid succession. He defended his world title in 2013 and added another Olympic gold in the Rio 2016 team event, reaching the singles final there. Explosive backhand power, a ferocious serve and a theatrical, high-intensity presence made him one of the sport's most watched stars. Injuries and inconsistency curtailed his later years, but at his peak his raw firepower and clutch performance in the biggest finals placed him among the most devastating attackers the game has produced.
Career profile
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