Early exit in Frankfurt: Timo Boll Image: dpa
The most famous German player is eliminated from the international table tennis tournament in Frankfurt after one game. Timo Boll still lacks competition practice, but he doesn’t have much time left until Paris.
The German table tennis star Timo Boll was eliminated in the first round of the WTT Champions tournament in Frankfurt am Main. The record European champion lost in 1:3 sets against the South Korean Lee Sang Su on the opening day of the event on Sunday. “Of course you’re annoyed now. But I’m a guy who quickly gets back into everyday life, shakes off the defeat and looks forward,” said Boll.
The 42-year-old had to miss several months in the first half of the year due to a shoulder injury. He fell so far behind in the world rankings that he was only allowed to start in Frankfurt with a wildcard. And that’s why nine months before the start of the Olympic Games in Paris he is still missing competition practice.
“There is still a long way to go. Luckily there won’t be a nomination for Paris tomorrow. Otherwise it wouldn’t look so good for me,” said Boll. “I still have a few months, but one thing is clear: That wasn’t a recommendation from me.”
Florian Richter Published/Updated: Recommendations: 6 Jörg Daniels Published/Updated: Recommendations: 8 Michael Wittershagen Published/Updated: Recommendations: 4
The competition in the new “World Table Tennis” tournament series is the first international table tennis tournament in Germany since the coronavirus pandemic. With prize money of $500,000, it is about twice as high as the last German Open competitions in 2020 in Magdeburg and 2019 in Bremen. For men, 25 of the top 30 players in the current world rankings are competing in Frankfurt.
