Marty Reisman: The Table Tennis Champion Who Inspired 'Marty Supreme'

Marty Reisman, a prominent figure in New York City's table tennis scene during the 1940s and 1950s, served as an inspiration for the character Marty Mauser in the film Marty Supreme, portrayed by Timothée Chalamet. During this period, New York City table tennis involved a diverse community that included players, gamblers, doctors, actors, and students, often competing and placing bets at venues like Lawrence's in midtown Manhattan.

Career and Achievements

Reisman, known as "The Needle" due to his slender build, represented the United States in international tournaments and secured over 20 major titles. These included the 1949 English Open and two U.S. Opens. His playing style was noted for its power, as described by a source identified as "the shirt king" in Jerome Charyn's book Sizzling Chops and Devilish Spins: Ping-Pong and the Art of Staying Alive.

In his 1974 memoir, The Money Player: The Confessions of America's Greatest Table Tennis Champion and Hustler, Reisman stated his attraction to table tennis was due to its involvement with "anatomy and chemistry and physics."

Public Persona and Incidents

Reisman was recognized for his showmanship and distinct style, frequently appearing in elegant suits and hats. Professional player Khaleel Asgarali observed Reisman at tournaments, noting his charisma and attire.

In 1949, Reisman and fellow American player Dick Miles incurred charges at a London hotel and attempted to bill the English Table Tennis Association. When the association refused, the players threatened to withdraw from sold-out exhibition matches. The association ultimately covered the costs but subsequently fined Reisman and Miles $200 and suspended them "indefinitely from sanctioned table tennis" worldwide for violating the sport's "courtesy code."

Early Life and Motivation

Reisman grew up on Manhattan's Lower East Side. His father was a taxi driver and gambler, and his parents separated when he was 10. 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.

According to Leo Leigh, director of the documentary Fact or Fiction: The Life and Times of a Ping Pong Hustler, Reisman engaged in hustling for financial gain, including attending wedding receptions at his hotel for meals. Reisman also indicated that playing ping pong helped alleviate his anxiety, stating the game "so engrossed me, so filled my days, that I did not have time to worry."

Reisman expressed a desire to be a top player, comparing table tennis champions to figures like Einstein, Hemingway, and Joe Louis. While the sport held high regard in Europe and Asia, it was often considered a pastime in the U.S., with New York City being an exception where significant sums were wagered on matches.

Reisman's playing included acrobatic shots and techniques, such as breaking a cigarette with a slam, which were observed by spectators. Josh Safdie, co-writer and director of Marty Supreme, connected his own experience with the film Uncut Gems to Reisman's dedication to table tennis, a sport Safdie stated was not widely respected in the United States.

Impact of New Equipment

In 1952, Japanese player Hiroji Satoh won the Men's Singles at the World Championships using a new racket featuring thick foam rubber. This innovation changed the game, altering ball flight characteristics by sometimes creating a 'dead ball' effect or 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.

Leigh noted that Reisman frequently discussed the impact of the rubber bat on his game and engaged in self-reflection regarding this development.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1958, Reisman acquired the Riverside Table Tennis Club on Manhattan's Upper West Side, a location 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."