- Ehlers/Wickler: Now Back Home, Yet Not Yet in Vacation Mode
Following a span of over three weeks, Nils Ehlers and Clemens Wickler ultimately returned to their personal abodes. On a Sunday evening, these acclaimed beach volleyball athletes made their way back to Hamburg after falling short in The Hague during the EM final. "It's been quite a ride," expressed Ehlers.
First, they experienced a fortnight of Olympic Games in Paris, which culminated in a hard-fought silver medal. Then, a week ago, they accompanied the German Olympic team to Cologne before heading to the Netherlands for the EM. Sadly, the duo once again came up short in the final, just as they had eight days prior. However, leisure and reprieve are forthcoming, albeit temporarily.
From Thursday to Sunday, they will compete in their own city, Hamburg, at the Beach Pro Tour Elite Tournament, held in the Tennis Stadium at Rothenbaum. The following week, they will defend their title at the German Championships in Timmendorfer Strand. Only then, will they be able to unwind.
No motivation required
"The last two competitions won't necessitate much motivation," guaranteed the 29-year-old Wickler. "The hometown event at Rothenbaum is the event we've eagerly awaited all year. Timmendorf is also an exceptional event, there's no need to compel myself for that." The point at which a break from beach volleyball and vacation are required "will likely emerge swiftly after Timmendorf."
Ehlers and Wickler are anticipated contenders for the tournament in Hamburg. With the Swedish Olympic champions, David Ahman and Jonatan Hellvig, sidelined due to injury, the Norwegian Olympic bronze medalists, Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, are set to participate instead, having opted out of the EM.
Hamburg's shining star: Laura Ludwig
Among the women, the new European champions, Svenja Mueller and Cinja Tillmann, are the favorites, provided Svenja Mueller recovers from her illness. The 23-year-old returned unwell from The Hague.
However, the spotlight will shine on the Rio Olympic champion, Laura Ludwig. For her, the Hamburg tournament will mark the conclusion of her international career. Following this, she will participate in the German Championships in Timmendorf alongside her partner, Louisa Lippmann (29). Afterwards, as Ludwig had announced following their early exit at the Parisian Olympics, it's all over.
"It's all good now," she emphasized in Hamburg. "It was an incredible journey, twenty years of living and loving, which I will continue to do." She aspires to remain connected to her sport. "I will do everything possible to remain relevant in beach volleyball and carry on the sport," she stated. "I want to pass on my experience and channel my energy into it."
But first, the Hamburg tournament awaits. "We aim to ignite the court," Ludwig declared. "These are our last two competitions together. We want to savor them and not simply watch the proceedings."
After their disappointing performance in the EM final in The Hague, Nils Ehlers and Clemens Wickler are heading back to their home city of Hamburg for the Beach Pro Tour Elite Tournament. The event will take place at the Tennis Stadium at Rothenbaum from Thursday to Sunday.
Despite their upcoming home tournament and the German Championships in Timmendorfer Strand, Clemens Wickler is not expecting much motivation in these last two competitions, as he and Ehlers are eagerly anticipating a well-deserved break and vacation.
