In olympics table tennis, why do they keep touching the center of the table?

Question

Once in a while, and generally after they lose a loint, they seem to do a little 'wipe' motion on the table in front of the net. The table is clean, and they have towels to wipe their hands. Why touch the table? Any idea?

Answer 1

to wipe of the rice

Answer 2

is it something to do with static

Answer 3

Probably cuz they're sweating all over the table they need to wipe it off.  They do it to their paddles too.

Answer 4

Its mostly the Asian players that do that, I think they are praying to Buddha