Family, camper van and coffee: Timo Boll already has plans for what he will do after his career ends. But first, the Olympics are on the agenda.
Timo Boll (43) is the absolute Mr. Table Tennis in Germany. The Erbach native made the leap to the top of the world rankings in the early 2000s and has been an integral part of the world elite of his sport ever since. Now, at the age of 43, he is ringing in the end of his career: As he announced in May 2024, the Olympic Games in Paris in the summer (July 26 to August 11, 2024) will be his last major tournament.
Once again, Timo Boll’s focus will be on the hunt for medals: He wants to play “at the highest level” once again, Boll says as part of the tire manufacturer Bridgestone’s “Ready to Perform” Olympic campaign. The team therefore has a clear plan to bring home a medal. “In sports, it’s about being ready to perform at the right moment, just like driving a car, which is why Bridgestone is the perfect Olympic partner, not least thanks to its campaign,” Boll explains his motivation for his last Olympic Games.
But what’s next for the table tennis legend after Paris? “As far as my future plans are concerned, I already have some ideas, but I haven’t made any concrete decisions yet,” says Boll. However, he can’t imagine taking on a permanent role in table tennis and “being in sports halls all the time.”
More time with the family
His wife Rodelia Jacobi does not have to worry about him being at home 24 hours a day and interfering in household matters. “I am looking forward to having more time for personal interests and projects that I had to neglect during my active time,” Boll continued. Among other things, he wants to explore new destinations with his camper van and indulge his passion for coffee. But of course he also wants to spend more time with his family: He is also looking forward to spending more time together and starting new chapters in his family life with his daughter Zoey Malaya (10).
He is fortunately able to live two lives: the public, hectic one, which took place mainly in China, where almost everyone knows his face. And the more quiet, hidden one here in Germany, where he can still enter restaurants unnoticed. Both will continue to be the case even when he retires from table tennis: “Because I will definitely continue to visit China. Just no longer as an athlete, but as a tourist.”
Timo Boll: “And then there is enough time for sadness and farewell”
He thought carefully about the decision to end his career and it had been a long time coming: “Of course it was not an easy decision. Table tennis was and still is my life and has shaped me,” says Boll about his final end as a professional athlete. But it was important to him to find the right time for a new phase of his life: “I think I have succeeded in doing that.” He is currently looking forward to the Olympic Games in Paris, which will be his seventh participation: “The Olympic Games are the ultimate sporting event where athletes from all over the world come together to give their best.” There will be plenty of time afterwards for sadness and farewells.
Timo Boll has some tips for the younger and next generation of athletes. The key is to always approach the sport with passion and discipline: “It’s important to work really hard, but at the same time not to lose the fun of the game.” In his opinion, you should also “always be fair and respectful” towards others. In his long career, his loved ones have always been extremely important to him: “My family has supported me incredibly throughout my career and has always been my greatest support.”
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
