D a 20 people gather in a circle, everyone introduces themselves by name in English and briefly explains why they ended up here at Ding Dong Ping Pong in the Berlin district of Prenzlauer Berg to play table tennis for two hours. One person says that for him there is hardly anything better than chasing a few plastic balls over the net and drinking a beer.
Waldemar Zeiler, one of the two operators of Ding Dong Ping Pong, later explains that the beer for the table tennis player would have to wait. Alcohol is not allowed here in the premises, which are more reminiscent of a chic start-up office than a musty multi-purpose sports hall.
English is primarily spoken at the tables; many here are ex-pats
It quickly becomes apparent that nobody came here to play a little round-the-clock game like in a table tennis bar. Rather, everyone gathers in sports clothes at the five plates that were set up in a former household goods store – Conny’s Container -, forms double pairings and concentrates on hitting the balls around each other’s ears. Only three women are there, which is not unusual for a male-dominated sport. English is primarily spoken at the tables; many here are ex-pats. The age spectrum ranges from young people to pensioners, but most are probably between 30 and 40. And everyone can already play quite well.
Ding Dong Ping Pong has been around since May last year. But who is this place aimed at? Are sufficient the many open-air panels in the citythe table tennis clubs, sports centers and bars with a table in the next room are not enough to offer something suitable to everyone who likes to pick up a rubberized wooden bat? Do we really need a place just for table tennis where you pay extra for every hour?
Who plays table tennis in Berlin? If you want to play in a club, you have a lot to choose from: there are almost 100 in the city. The table tennis film “Marty Supreme” with Timothée Chalamet can also be seen in many cinemas from February 26th. Things are particularly fresh in the chic Kino International on Karl-Marx-Allee, which is reopening its doors to the film after almost two years of renovation.
Obviously yes. On the weekends, they are always booked almost around the clock, says Zeiler. Around the clock is to be taken literally, as Ding Dong Ping Pong practically never closes and the records can be booked for any time of the day or night using a mobile phone app.
Now everyone wants to know why Ding Dong Ping Pong works so well, says Zeiler. Every week someone from somewhere in the Republic comes by to inquire about the concept. The first branch of Ding Dong Ping Pong will open in four weeks in Essen, others are to follow in other cities, and Berlin will soon expand with a second store in Prenzlauer Berg. Zeiler calls this “Friendchise,” which should probably be translated as “franchise among friends.”
Zeiler comes from the start-up world, and in this world it is well known that a business idea is always ennobled as a contribution to the betterment of humanity. In fact, Zeiler has quite an illustrious reputation in the start-up scene. He already wanted to make it big with one of his companies with vegan condoms. A table tennis shop seems like another crazy business idea.
This text comes from the weekday. Our weekly newspaper from the left! Every week, wochentaz is about the world as it is – and as it could be. A left-wing weekly newspaper with a voice, attitude and the special taz view of the world. New every Saturday at the kiosk and of course by subscription.
The table tennis tables in his shop are the finest, he says. The laid floor: like the professionals. The trainers in the house: the best in the city. And all the wonderful gimmicks too. You can download rallies on your app for review, and if you like, you can have it measured to see how much rotation you get in your topspin.
All bells and whistles, the traditionalists will say. But to get young people excited about table tennis, an update like this might be just the right thing. Since Corona, this sport has been booming in Germanyand now “Marty Supreme” will be showing in German cinemas from the end of February, a table tennis film that is supposed to be really good and should further fuel the revival.
You can then play two more sets in doubles alongside Zeiler. We win hands down and my partner is happy. Things are going well with the start-up.