Marty Reisman, a prominent figure in New York City's table tennis community during the 1940s and 1950s, achieved over 20 major titles, including the 1949 English Open and two U.S. Opens. Known for his distinctive playing style and showmanship, Reisman's life and career served as inspiration for the character Marty Mauser in the film Marty Supreme. His career spanned a period of significant change in the sport, particularly with the introduction of new equipment.
Early Life and Motivations
Marty Reisman was born on Manhattan's Lower East Side. His father was a taxi driver and gambler, and his parents separated when he was 10, leading to periods of financial difficulty. His mother, an immigrant from the Soviet Union, worked as a waitress and in a garment factory. At age 14, Reisman moved to live with his father at the Broadway Central Hotel.
Reisman experienced panic attacks from the age of nine. He documented that playing table tennis served as a coping mechanism, stating the game "so engrossed me, so filled my days, that I did not have time to worry." Leo Leigh, director of the documentary Fact or Fiction: The Life and Times of a Ping Pong Hustler, noted that Reisman engaged in hustling for financial gain, including attending wedding receptions at his hotel to obtain meals. Reisman expressed a desire to be a top player, comparing table tennis champions to figures like Einstein, Hemingway, and Joe Louis.
The New York City Table Tennis Scene
During the 1940s and 1950s, table tennis in New York City was characterized by a diverse community of players, gamblers, doctors, actors, and students. Matches were often held at venues like Lawrence's in midtown Manhattan, where significant sums were wagered. While table tennis was largely considered a recreational activity in the United States, New York City stood out as an exception where it garnered serious competition and betting interest. In contrast, the sport held higher regard in Europe and Asia, where champions achieved widespread recognition.
Career Highlights and Public Persona
Known as "The Needle" due to his slender build, Reisman represented the United States in international tournaments. He accumulated more than 20 major titles throughout his career, including the 1949 English Open and two U.S. Open championships. In his 1974 memoir, The Money Player: The Confessions of America's Greatest Table Tennis Champion and Hustler, Reisman wrote that his attraction to table tennis was due to its involvement with "anatomy and chemistry and physics."
Reisman was recognized for his showmanship and distinct style, frequently appearing in elegant suits and hats. Professional player Khaleel Asgarali observed Reisman's charisma and attire at tournaments. His playing style was noted for its power and intensity, with one source describing his shots as "bullets." Spectators observed his theatrical approach to matches, which included acrobatic shots and techniques such as breaking a cigarette with a powerful slam or hitting the ball under his leg.
Noteworthy Incidents
In 1949, during the English Open, Reisman and fellow American player Dick Miles relocated from their assigned London hotel to a more expensive one. They incurred charges, which they then attempted to bill to the English Table Tennis Association. When the association declined payment, the players indicated they would not participate in scheduled, sold-out exhibition matches. Officials subsequently covered the costs but later fined both players $200 and issued an indefinite suspension from sanctioned worldwide table tennis for violating the sport's "courtesy code."
Impact of Equipment Changes
In 1952, Japanese player Hiroji Satoh won the Men's Singles at the World Championships using a new type of racket featuring thick foam rubber. This innovation changed the dynamics of the game by altering ball flight characteristics, sometimes creating a 'dead ball' effect or generating overpowering spin. Reisman, who preferred the traditional hardbat, found the new sponge rubber racket challenging, which affected his competitiveness and led to reduced participation in the game. Khaleel Asgarali noted that Reisman became less competitive after this introduction. Leo Leigh reported that Reisman frequently discussed the impact of the rubber bat on his game and engaged in extensive self-reflection regarding this development, noting the "eerie flights" and unpredictable spin of the ball.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1958, Reisman acquired the Riverside Table Tennis Club on Manhattan's Upper West Side, a venue frequented by public figures. In 1997, at the age of 67, he won the United States Hardbat Championship. Marty Reisman passed away in 2012 at the age of 82. Less than a year before his death, The New York Times published a profile on him titled "A Throwback Player, With a Wardrobe to Match."
Reisman's life inspired the character Marty Mauser, portrayed by Timothée Chalamet, in the film Marty Supreme. Josh Safdie, co-writer and director of Marty Supreme, stated that he connected Reisman's dedication to becoming a table tennis champion, despite what he perceived as a lack of widespread respect for the sport in the U.S., to his own experience with the development of his film Uncut Gems. Safdie also noted that playing table tennis assisted him with ADHD, requiring intense focus and precision. His great uncle, who played at Lawrence's, shared stories of individuals encountered there, including Reisman's competitor, Dick Miles. Safdie discovered Reisman's memoir in a thrift store while concluding work on Uncut Gems.