With the rise of Chinese sports stars, fans range in age from elementary school students to the elderly. One such fan, Zhang Ping, recalled her experience at the Shanghai Sports Arena on New Year's Day for the Chinese Ping Pong Super League, where she learned about athlete Sun Yingsha. Due to her enthusiasm for the matches, Zhang actively purchased endorsed products and made efforts to support her favorites at events.

This match garnered significant fan attention, quickly surpassing 30 million RMB in ticket sales. Zhang noted that the allure of ping pong lies not just in the game itself, but also in the admiration for the athletes. Moreover, the presence of celebrity guests heightened the excitement among spectators, affecting the competition's atmosphere.

However, this fervor has also attracted criticism. In some events, fan behavior became excessively intense, leading Chinese officials to call for regulation of 'fan culture'. While supporting athletes, some fan actions may inadvertently cause distress or impact the competitors. This shifting culture intertwines the sports domain with commercial interests.