German table tennis legend Timo Boll took his final bow on the international stage at the Paris Olympic Games on Tuesday evening.

In the men's team table tennis competition, Germany faced Sweden for a spot in the semifinals. Boll, 43, competing in both doubles and singles, lost both matches, leading to Germany's elimination while marking the end of Boll's seventh Olympic journey.

After the match, the audience gave a standing ovation, with a tribute video for Boll playing on the large screen. The applause was endless, and coaches and teammates from the German team, along with Sweden's head coach Jorgen Persson, came over to hug Boll. Boll, with red eyes and nose, wiped his face with a towel and tossed two jerseys into the stands as a thank you to the crowd.

"It's been tough, both during and after the match," Boll said after the match, as reported by the Xinhua News Agency. "Losing makes you feel disappointed, but the overwhelming support from the audience leaves you feeling also bewildered." 

Speaking of his "last dance," Boll also mentioned the Chinese team, admitting, "I couldn't expect to leave the Olympic stage with a victory, given that China is the strongest in table tennis."

It's worth noting that Boll has always formed an unbreakable bond with China. On June 2, 2024, Boll wrote on Sina Weibo, China's X-like platform: "Throughout my career, I have thoroughly enjoyed every match I've played in China. I have learned a lot from table tennis, and even more from you and your culture. Thank you very much for your support over the years. China will always be my second home."

On August 3, Boll posted a photo on Weibo of himself and Chinese player Ma Long in Paris, captioning it with the word "Legend."

Boll's deep connection with the Chinese team began with his competition against Kong Linghui and continued through several generations of Chinese table tennis masters. During his career he has competed against and defeated many key Chinese players, from Liu Guoliang to Ma Long to more recently - Wang Chuqin and Lin Shidong.

The day after Boll bade farewell to the international stage, the Chinese men's team defeated South Korea to advance to the semifinals. In the mixed interview zone after the match, Ma Long and Fan Zhendong expressed their respect for Boll.

"Boll is someone all table tennis players deeply respect, not just for his skill but also for his character," Ma said. Recalling their partnership in doubles named "Marco Polo" at both the 2015 and 2017 World Championships, Ma said that the chance to pair with him left both of them with beautiful memories, adding that Boll feels like an old friend, warm and approachable.

Fan also revealed that he and Boll have had many fun exchanges off the court, including shared hobbies. Last November, while participating in a table tennis competition in Frankfurt, Germany, Fan was invited by Boll to watch Der Klassiker, the soccer match between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, two renowned Germany football teams. Boll drove three hours to take Fan from Frankfurt to Dortmund and shared German rice cakes made by his mother with Fan along the way.

"He has had a perfect career, both in terms of length and height, which is rare," Fan said, "He overcame many difficulties and his strict discipline led him to many achievements. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors."

Reflecting on his career, which included seven Olympics, four Olympic medals, and a world No. 1 ranking, Boll said: "I might have been in the top five, top 10 for 25 years, which is my greatest achievement, enough to withstand anything." 

"But ultimately, I realize my body moved too slow, and maintaining the highest competitive level became increasingly difficult," Boll said.

Global Times