Pöytätenniksi

Pöytätenniksi, often known as table tennis or ping-pong, is a racket sport played by two or four players. It involves striking a lightweight ball back and forth across a net on a hard table using small rackets. The game is played with a net dividing the table into two equal halves. A player scores a point by failing to return the ball to the opponent's side of the table within the rules.

The game originated in England in the late 19th century as an after-dinner parlor game for the upper class. It was an indoor adaptation of lawn tennis. The original equipment included books as nets, cigar box lids as rackets, and champagne corks or rubber balls as the ball. The name "ping-pong" was a trade name for a popular version of the game, and later became a common informal name.

Modern table tennis is a fast-paced sport requiring significant skill, reflexes, and strategy. Professional players can hit the ball at speeds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour. The sport is governed internationally by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), which organizes world championships and other major tournaments. Table tennis made its debut as an Olympic sport at the 1988 Seoul Games. It is also a popular recreational activity enjoyed by people of all ages worldwide.