Truls Möregårdh tells SVT that it still "felt obvious to play the Swedish Championship in the end".
There is total table tennis fever in all of Sweden and I am a big part of it, says the 23-year-old, who took Olympic silver in both singles and team events last summer in Paris.
"It is what it is"
The Jerring Prize winner is in an infected conflict with the Swedish Table Tennis Association. The dispute is about, among other things, that he wants his brother Malte Möregårdh as match coach at World Championship tournaments instead of coaches appointed by the association.
I've said my piece. I'll see if they listen or not, it doesn't look like it right now. But it is what it is, says Truls Möregårdh about the dispute.
The association wrote on their website on Tuesday that they are "humble" in the face of the situation and "take on board the criticism that has emerged" – where they through dialogue want to find a solution.
Möregårdh started the Swedish Championship in Uppsala by winning against Jimmy Jansson, IK Sirius BTK, with 4–0 in sets in the round of 16. Later on Saturday evening, he also won the round of 16 against Omid Khoshbakht, Spårvägen, with 4–2 in sets.
Also, second-seeded Anton Källberg, who is on the other half of the bracket, is through to the quarterfinals after two straight wins.
Not a given for the stars
World number seven Möregårdh says that one should "not take for granted" that he and national team colleague Källberg, who was part of the Olympic silver team, can participate in the Swedish Championship.
It's fantastic that we're both here and playing the Swedish Championship with our schedules. Super fun to be here. Hopefully, I'll take another title, says the Eslöv player to SVT.
Möregårdh can take his fifth consecutive Swedish Championship gold in singles – something no male player has managed before. The playoffs continue on Sunday.
