Hot Ping Pong Pro Daniela Dodean Faces the Maxim Interview

We asked the table tennis queen the same 10 questions we always ask everyone!

Romanian athlete Daniela Dodean is one of the standout female table tennis players in the 52nd annual World Table Tennis Championships (watch it on One World Sports!), which are taking place this week in Paris, France. A record 463 men and 360 women from 130 countries have made the trip to the French capital to furiously bat their balls back and forth for the five gold medals on offer. We asked Daniela for some game-winning advice, and of course, subjected her to the same 10 questions we always ask everyone.

What’s your best move to win a game of ping pong?

It’s very important to adapt to any kind of player. The good thing for me is that I’m always ready to try new styles – my coaches and players tell me my backhand is really good, but I like to believe that any move I make is great! 

What other sports do you like?

I like to dance, swim, and play beach volleyball.

If a guy asked you out but didn’t play ping pong well, would you still date him?

Sure! That would never matter to me.

What kind of guy do you look for?

I love a sense of humor! I think each country has their own sexy men, but definitely America has some of the best.

AND NOW: THE SAME 10 QUESTIONS WE ALWAYS ASK EVERYONE!

What was the last thing you had to apologize for?

When I am late at practice, I apologize to my coach.

What’s your favorite curse word?

I have some favorite curse words, especially when I’m nervous in matches. I use them in different languages so my opponent can’t understand! At home, my favorite is “shit.”

What’s the worst hangover you’ve ever had?

It was in Las Vegas three years ago, I came in at 7am in my hotel room and I had the semifinal for the US Open at 9am! And I won that match!

What was your first car?

It was a Range Rover. I was watching television and saw a commercial for this car. I knew that I really wanted it – I ended up buying the same exact model, with the same color.

Do you have a scar that tells a story?

I have a small scar on my knee because of an injury in table tennis. But the deepest scar is in the heart, when my team loses…

Do you have a party trick?

High heels and perfect lipstick! 

What’s the biggest thing you’ve ever put in your mouth?

The biggest ice cream I ever ate!

What’s the one thing to remember in a fist fight?

Keep calm.

Who was the last person to see you naked?

My boyfriend.

Finish this sentence: If I ruled the world for a day, I would…

Stop the violence and war in the world. And if I would get one more day like that, I would like to find the vaccine against cancer.