Overview

• Dimitrij Ovtcharov, a two-time Olympic bronze medalist, has ended his campaign at the 2025 World Table Tennis Championships in Qatar due to ongoing disc-related nerve pain.
• The 36-year-old lost his first-round doubles match alongside Patrick Franziska to Australia's Hwan Bae and Aditya Sareen in straight sets (0:3).
• Citing a lack of competitiveness despite intensive treatments, Ovtcharov also withdrew from his scheduled singles match against Austria’s Daniel Habesohn.
• Ovtcharov explained that the injury, which flared up nine days prior to the tournament, has severely impacted his control and playing ability.
• Other German players, including Patrick Franziska and Annett Kaufmann, continue to compete in mixed and singles events, keeping Germany's hopes alive in the tournament.