The next time you are in a close match, and are worried about making mistakes, and so play safe to avoid any risky shots, consider this. Letting your opponent control play is the biggest risk you can take in table tennis. You no longer have any control over your fate. What can be riskier than that?

This doesn’t mean you have to go for big shots when it’s close. It means, for example, pushing quick and wide-angled rather than a safe push to the middle of the table. It means taking the ball a bit quicker on some shots so your opponent doesn’t have time to take control. It might mean going for a big "risky" shot - because not going for a big shot might be the real risk! There are many other examples. Take control - it’s less risky!