Photo credit: SportPlus
The World Table Tennis Singapore Smash 2026 presented by Resorts World Sentosa is set to ignite the global table tennis calendar once again — and as part of our International Women’s Day content series, we’re spotlighting the women shaping the sport on the world stage.
Leading the charge is Welsh star Anna Hursey, whose rise has been one of the most compelling storylines heading into this year’s tournament.
Fresh off her best-ever WTT Series finish in Muscat and a strong showing in Chennai, Hursey arrives in Singapore brimming with confidence — and momentum. As the sport celebrates International Women’s Day this month, her journey from prodigy to world top-50 contender adds even greater significance to her campaign at Singapore Smash, embodying the resilience, ambition and progress we honour through this series.
Photo credit: SportPlus
Anna Hursey’s Form: Building Momentum Before Singapore Smash 2026
Hursey heads into Singapore in arguably the best form of her young career.
“I feel really good,” she shared ahead of the event. “We came from Chennai and I think I’m in good form so I hope that I can just keep playing my best.”
Her recent performances on the WTT circuit reflect clear technical and physical improvements. According to coach John Murphy, the past year has marked a significant leap in her development:
“Technically and physically she’s become a lot better. She’s adapted her game to a higher senior style of play, and we’ve seen the benefits in her results.”
After qualifying for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics as a teenager and experiencing ranking fluctuations post-Games, Hursey has demonstrated resilience — dropping outside the top 100 before powering back into the world’s top 50. She is now hovering around world No. 40, signaling her readiness to challenge the elite.
Photo credit: SportPlus
Why Singapore Smash Matters on the Global Table Tennis Calendar
Since its inception, Singapore Smash has quickly become one of the most prestigious stops on the WTT calendar — often compared to a “Grand Slam” of table tennis.
For Hursey, the event holds special meaning.
“Singapore Smash is always really, really nice. I’ve played a few now and every time the organisation — or even Singapore — is just very nice, so it’s always nice to come back and play.”
The tournament not only offers crucial world ranking points but also serves as the first major statement event of the 2026 season. A deep run here could redefine expectations for the year ahead.
From a coaching perspective, Murphy sees it as a pivotal opportunity:
“This is the first major event of 2026. We’re looking at possibly beating players inside the world’s top 20 more often. Singapore is an opportunity to do that.”
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Competing at The Kallang: A World-Class Stage
The action unfolds at The Kallang, located in the iconic Kallang precinct — one of Asia’s premier sporting destinations.
Hursey has been impressed by the setup: “The whole place is really good. The setup is amazing, there’s always lots of fans.”
From an athlete’s perspective, world-class facilities, professional organisation, and passionate crowds elevate performance. While Hursey notes that elite players must adapt to any environment, she acknowledges that optimal conditions make a difference.
“It’s always nicer to play in better conditions… but we need to be able to perform in any conditions.”
With Singapore’s famously humid climate, early arrival has allowed her team to acclimatise — an often overlooked factor in tournament preparation.
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International Women’s Day Spotlight: Inspiring the Next Generation
As the world marks International Women’s Day, Hursey’s journey resonates far beyond rankings.
Starting table tennis at age five — introduced by her father — she became the youngest person to represent Wales in any sport and the youngest Welsh athlete at the Commonwealth Games.
Her role models? Table tennis legends such as Ding Ning and Liu Shiwen, athletes who defined excellence on the world stage.
While modest about her influence, Hursey hopes her journey can inspire:
“I just hope to inspire other young athletes.”
Her story reflects broader progress in women’s table tennis — greater visibility, deeper competition fields, and growing professional pathways.
Yet, as with many sports, continued investment and equal opportunities remain critical to sustaining that momentum.
Photo credit: SportPlus
From Tianjin to the World Stage: A Unique Development Path
A defining chapter in Hursey’s career came when she moved to Tianjin, China, as a teenager to train full-time.
“When I was 13 to 14, I moved to Tianjin for a year with my mum. It was a very good experience and I improved a lot.”
Exposure to high-performance Asian training systems accelerated her technical development and strengthened her mental resilience — key traits now visible in her composed senior-level performances.
Murphy credits not only her talent but her dedication: “It’s a 12-month-a-year commitment. Anna has chosen to make that commitment. That’s a huge quality.”
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Singapore Smash 2026 Goals: Process Over Pressure
Unlike some players who declare podium ambitions, Hursey’s goals in Singapore remain grounded.
“I don’t think I have a key goal… I just hope that I can play my best and hopefully also have a nice draw.”
But beneath that modest outlook lies clear ambition. Breaking deeper into the draw and challenging top-20 opponents would mark another leap forward in her ascent up the world rankings.
Photo credit: SportPlus
What a Strong Singapore Smash Run Means for 2026
Momentum plays a crucial role in table tennis, particularly at the beginning of a new season when rankings, confidence, and rhythm are still taking shape.
A strong performance at Singapore Smash 2026 would do far more than add another solid result to Anna Hursey’s record. It would significantly strengthen her world ranking position, giving her greater stability on the WTT circuit and reinforcing her status among the sport’s rising elite.
Progress in Singapore would also improve her seeding in upcoming WTT events, offering a more favourable pathway through future draws and increasing opportunities to advance deeper into tournaments. Just as importantly, a breakthrough run would build belief against top-20 opponents — an essential step as she transitions from competing well against the world’s best to consistently challenging and defeating them.
For Hursey, establishing herself as a regular contender at major events is the next phase of her development. At just 19 years old, yet with nearly a decade of international experience, she possesses a rare combination of youthful fearlessness and seasoned understanding of the tour.
That blend of energy and maturity could prove decisive as she looks to turn early-season momentum in Singapore into a defining year on the world stage.
Photo credit: SportPlus
The Bigger Picture: A Star on the Rise in World Table Tennis
The narrative surrounding Anna Hursey heading into Singapore Smash 2026 is about more than one tournament. It’s about evolution.
From Olympic qualification to ranking setbacks, from training in Tianjin to breaking into the world’s top 50, her trajectory reflects resilience and adaptability — qualities essential for long-term success in elite sport.
As the lights shine brightly at The Kallang and the world’s best gather in Singapore, all eyes will be on whether Hursey can convert momentum into a breakthrough run.
One thing is certain: she arrives ready.
And Singapore Smash 2026 could be the next major chapter in her rising career.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, her story is a powerful reminder of the ambition and grit shaping the future of sport. Stay tuned as our IWD series continues to spotlight inspiring women across Sports, Entertainment, Community and Lifestyle — each forging their own path, redefining excellence, and moving the game forward in their own way.
