World Table Tennis today officially announced the Wildcard selections for the upcoming WTT US Smash in Ontario, California, helping set the stage for Liam Pitchford's big comeback mission. 

Pitchford's last international performance took place at the 2025 WTT Sweden Smash, with the 4-time English Olympian taking a hiatus from the sport to have a career-saving hip surgery. 

Pitchford has been working hard to prepare for his return to the table, with his eyes firmly set on the US Smash as his target. After a successful hip resurfacing surgery, all efforts were focused on weeks of physical rehabilitation and a slow but steady return to training. The wild card grants Pitchford, formerly ranked 12th in the world, with a berth in the Men's Singles main draw - and a chance to regain his footing on the international stage.

In his last performance at the event's debut in Las Vegas last year, Pitchford eliminated China's Chen Yuan-Yu before bowing out to Korea's Lee Sang Su in the Round of 32. 

The British star currently sits at 188th on the Men's Singles World Ranking, and will look to make an impact in the draw to kickstart his comeback campaign. 

4-time US Olympian Lily Zhang will also be in action in the Women's Singles, and received a WTT Wildcard for the Women's Doubles event, where she will play alongside US teammate Sally Moyland. 

See the full rundown of WTT Wildcard Nominations here.