VIENNA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Austrian star Werner Schlager on Wednesday said he would participate in the upcoming World Table Tennis Championships in Paris next Monday.

"Many people think I am retired, but it's wrong," said the 40-year-old former world champion. "People will see me competing in Paris."

When asked about his expectation for the worlds, Schlager said he would try his best and he was supposed to be one of the best players in Europe.

In the 2003 worlds in Paris, Schlager beat Chinese Kong Linghui in the semifinals en route to the men's singles crown.