Olympic medalist Laura Ludwig moves with vestiges of tears in her eyes
As tears streamed down her face, Laura Ludwig gave a heartfelt goodbye to the crowd, prompting cheers and chants from the fans. The emotional two-time Olympic champion concluded her career as vice-champion, following her gold medal partner Kira Walkenhorst's retirement, just two days prior. The German Beach Volleyball Championships at Timmendorfer Strand served as the closing chapter to an unprecedented career.
Looking back on the past four weeks, Ludwigs stated, "It's been a whirlwind of goodbyes and cherished memories. I'm grateful for every moment I've shared with my partners." In her final month, Ludwig was surrounded by tears, eventually being hugged tightly by her sons, Teo and Lenny.
Despite losing her final match alongside Louisa Lippmann to the favored European champions, Svenja Müller/Cinja Tillmann, 0:2 (15:21, 18:21), Ludwig's silver run was nearly as shining that Sunday afternoon. The 38-year-old holds the title of Germany's most decorated beach volleyball player, with seven national championships and 14 medals to her name.
"Farewell, My Friend"
Her name is etched in history, dominating the sport for over two decades. Based in Berlin, Ludwig reached her peak during the 2016 Olympics, where she and Walkenhorst earned the gold in Rio de Janeiro. The following year, they became the first German women's team to win the World Championship, and in 2016 and 2017, they were named Germany's "Team of the Year." After an emotional farewell, Ludwig bade Walkenhorst adieu, "Wishing you all the best for the future, I'll miss you!"
Walkenhorst, who played her final match in the quarter-finals the previous evening, was thrilled to share the final victories with the fans. She will now focus on recreational handball. Making a comeback in 2020 after a 2019 retirement, Walkenhorst is now looking forward to a new chapter in her life.
International Career Came to a Close
Ludwig began her final match with a service error, but the defending champions put up a strong fight against Ludwig/Lippmann. Ultimately, Müller/Tillmann claimed a hat-trick of titles, having won the German Championships in 2022 and 2023, as well as their first European Championship two weeks prior.
Ludwig's international career came to an end with tears the previous week, during the quarter-finals at her adopted hometown Elite16 tournament in Hamburg, where she lost against Müller/Tillmann. The Olympics and last European Championship had proven to be disappointing performances. With ten European medals, including four golds, Ludwig's career is marked by an impressive level of success as she embarks on the next chapter of her life.
In the midst of her emotional farewell, Laura Ludwig expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to play beach volleyball, stating, "I'm grateful for every moment I've shared with my partners, including playing Beach Volleyball at the Timmendorfer Strand." Later, during her final match, Ludwig showcased her passion for the sport once more, engaging in a thrilling match of beach volleyball against Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann.
