“I have lived with table tennis. I have always been close to table tennis.” Timo Boll

All the spectators in the arena were shouting encouragement like, “Timo, Timo.” There were also voices saying, “Thank you,” but I wanted to be the one to say thank you. Everything was a special moment.

A great table tennis player is about to leave the court. Timo Boll, the superstars the world has ever produced. He raced brilliantly through the world table tennis scene since 2000 and established a one-of-a-kind playing style. The Paris Olympics in the summer of 2024 will be his final international tournament, and he will put down his racket in the Bundesliga, which ends in spring 2025. Looking back on his table tennis career, what does Timo Boll have to say?

This interview was recorded in December 2025.

Published in O-KOKU February 2025 issue, Part 1

＜Photo ITTF＞

Goodbye, Timo. We Won't Forget You

It’s hard to be apart from them. It stirred my emotions

On the day of the interview, Timo Boll as seen through the monitor looked just as he always did. He announced that he would bring an end to nearly 40 years as a player when this season’s Bundesliga finishes. Known as the Emperor of Europe, the superstar who won numerous titles and medals with his unique two-handed offense is nearing the day he leaves the court. He spoke about how he feels now and reflected on his table tennis career.

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●ーHow was your last international tournament, the Paris Olympics?

Boll　A lot of different emotions came up. I had been competing as a top-level player for more than 20 years, and my teammates were like another family to me. We had lived and trained together all this time, so it was hard to be apart from them. It stirred my emotions. It’s hard to cut off that relationship.

On the other hand, I also felt relieved to be free from a stressful life. I’ll probably get to spend more time with my family instead of always being on the road, and I’m happy about that.

●ーSo the Paris Olympics were your last major tournament.

Boll　My motivation was high. For more than a year, I had been struggling with a shoulder injury and fighting to earn qualification for the Olympics. It was very tough, but I was happy to be able to compete. In the end, I did compete, but the injury had not fully healed. Still, it was getting better little by little, and although I’m older now, I felt good, and my motivation was high as I aimed for the Olympic target.

●ーSince it was your last Olympics, did you feel nervous or sentimental?

Boll　To be honest, even while preparing for the Olympics, I did get sentimental, thinking, “This is the last training camp as a national team.”