Beach volleyball star Laura Ludwig: top athlete and mother – "Now there is emotional chaos"

Created: 08/03/2022 08:19

By: Patrick Reichelt

Beach volleyball Olympic champion Laura Ludwig talks about her goals with new partner Louisa Lippmann and the double role as a mother in the tz interview.

Munich – She is Olympic champion and world champion in beach volleyball, was named team of the decade with Kira Walkenhorst – now Laura Ludwig is planning the spectacular new start after the birth of her second child.

At the side of Louisa Lippmann, she is once again aiming for the Olympics.

The tz interview.

Ms. Ludwig, in your recently published book "Gold is a question of faith" (Edel-Verlag), you described how difficult it was to return to work after the birth of your son Teo.

Now you have two children...

Laura Ludwig: That's right.

I actually thought I was quite well prepared.

But the closer it gets, the greater the emotional chaos.

But I think that letting go with Lenny is a little easier now and that I can simply use the time better.

The motherly feelings have you under control anyway - but now the routine will definitely help me.

It is known that you have subordinated everything to the Rio 2016 goal.

You even rejected your current husband at first.

Do private life and professional sport get along?

Ludwig: At least it's clear that I can't do it like that anymore.

Family comes first, so I can't do three units a day.

But I can do a lot at home, we have set up a weight room there.

The trick is to make even better use of the time you invest.

Beach volleyball Olympic champion Laura Ludwig has a new partner in Louisa Lippmann.

© Frank Molter/dpa

Beach volleyball: Laura Ludwig is looking forward to a "very exciting project" with partner Louisa Lippmann

Can you now benefit from the experience of that time – for example when putting together the perfect team?

Ludwig: What is perfect is a very individual thing.

I've always ridden well with two coaches, one of whom had the hat on.

My psychologist also helped me a lot, as a young player I didn't really notice the subject.

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How about the partner?

What does the perfect match for Laura look like?

Ludwig (laughs): Does that exist?

With Kira

It was very perfect.

Even if it took a lot of work to find our way.

Until we could dance on the field.

That took four years.

But you don't dare to start again with her, but with Louisa Lippmann...

Ludwig: If you had gone the same way again, it would have been a repeat.

Then you would have questioned every step that would have gone differently than back then.

It will be a very exciting project with Louisa.

We have to come together.

She still has to make the switch to beach volleyball.

But she is very experienced and has been competing at the highest level for a long time.

That will help us.

The goal is Paris, their fifth game in two years.

Not much time, and national competition is wide.

Ludwig: The top is also wide internationally.

Right down to the Brazilians Duda/Ana Patricia, who will dominate in the next few years.

I'm sure.

But I see the potential to come to Paris.

That's why I want to try this.

Interview: Patrick Reichelt