The Real-Life Ping Pong Hustler Who Inspired 'Marty Supreme' In the 1950s and 1960s, a larger-than-life character stalked the ping pong halls of New York City, hustling unsuspecting players and cementing his reputation as one of the greatest table tennis players of his era. Marty Reisman, affectionately known as "The Needle" for his slender physique, cut an iconic figure with his stylish attire and theatrical flair on the court. Reisman's exploits have now been immortalized in the character of "Marty Supreme" in the 2021 Netflix series Ping Pong: The Animation, which chronicles the world of professional table tennis. But the real-life Marty Reisman was no fictional creation - he was a genuine ping pong prodigy and consummate showman whose skills and charisma captivated audiences across the country. Born in 1930 in the Bronx, Reisman discovered his passion for ping pong at a young age, honing his craft in the city's bustling table tennis clubs. He quickly rose through the ranks, winning numerous championships and developing a reputation as one of the most talented and entertaining players in the sport. "Marty was a true virtuoso of the game," says ping pong historian and author Eli Baraty. "He had an uncanny ability to read his opponents and execute the most dazzling shots, all while putting on a show for the crowd. He was the ping pong equivalent of a rock star." Reisman's showmanship was as much a part of his persona as his technical prowess. He would often arrive at tournaments in impeccably tailored suits, drawing the attention of spectators before even stepping onto the table. Once the match began, he would engage in a series of elaborate rituals, meticulously adjusting his equipment and delivering dramatic pauses between points to build anticipation. "Marty knew that ping pong was as much a performance as it was a sport," Baraty explains. "He would psych out his opponents with his theatrics, then proceed to utterly dominate them on the table. It was a captivating combination of skill and showmanship." Reisman's hustling exploits were equally legendary. He would frequently stake out local ping pong clubs, sizing up potential victims and challenging them to high-stakes matches. His unorthodox playing style and relentless trash-talking would often lure in overconfident players, who would quickly find themselves on the wrong end of a humiliating defeat - and a significantly lighter wallet. "Marty was a master at finding the mark," says former table tennis champion and Reisman protégé, John Tannehill. "He could spot a sucker from a mile away and had no qualms about fleecing them. It was all part of the game for him." Reisman's reputation as a ping pong hustler eventually earned him the nickname "The Needle," a moniker that captured both his slender physique and his ability to effortlessly prick the egos of his opponents. His antics and exploits were the stuff of legend, inspiring countless stories and urban myths that would be passed down among ping pong aficionados. Despite his success on the table, Reisman's life was not without its challenges. He faced financial struggles and legal issues stemming from his hustling activities, and his relationships with friends and family were often tumultuous. But through it all, his passion for the sport and his flair for the dramatic never wavered. "Marty was a complex character," says Tannehill. "He could be charming and charismatic one moment, and then utterly ruthless the next. But no matter what, he always put on a show that people remembered." Reisman's legacy as a ping pong icon lives on, both in the real-world and in popular culture. The character of "Marty Supreme" in Ping Pong: The Animation, while fictionalized, captures the essence of the man - his virtuosic skills, his flamboyant persona, and his insatiable appetite for the thrill of the hustle. As the sport of table tennis continues to grow in popularity around the world, Marty Reisman's story serves as a reminder of the rich history and colorful personalities that have shaped the game. He was a true original, a master of his craft, and a legend in his own right - a ping pong champion and hustler whose legacy will continue to captivate and inspire generations to come.