Bundesliga

After a disappointing season last year, TTC RhönSprudel is aiming to win the title again in the new season of the Table Tennis Bundesliga (TTBL). In this interview, Fulda veteran Ruwen Filus talks about how he has dealt with the disappointing previous season, the new situation following the signing of returnee Jonathan Groth and the simultaneous signing of Olympic champion Fan Zhendong by 1. FC Saarbrücken, as well as his thoughts on ending his professional career.

Ruwen Filus, there are only a few days left until the start of the TTBL season: Are you feeling excited?

Yes, of course, I always feel excited at the start of the season. In the summer, I was only able to play in the tournaments in Slovenia and Croatia; unfortunately, I couldn't play in the Europe Smash and the Champions before that. As a result, the other players currently have a little more competitive experience, but I'm still excited, as I am every year when the season starts. The match against Borussia Düsseldorf will also be a great start to the season. Last year, there were 3,000 fans in the Esperanto Hall for the match against Düsseldorf. So I'm really looking forward to the season.

What was the focus of your team's pre-season preparations at TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell?

Some of our team members played in the tournaments mentioned above in the weeks leading up to the start of the season. As a result, we haven't really been able to prepare properly. Instead, we will meet a few days before the match and see how everyone is doing and how we can start the season.

How much did the many tournaments disrupt your focus on the new TTBL season?

The preparation has been very different. I was able to focus well on the start of the league. However, because most of the team were away, I didn't have a training plan like I usually do. Those who were away are already in top form and are practically jumping right in. It's difficult to say whether one or the other is better or worse for the Bundesliga. In the meantime, we have to strike a balance between tournaments and the Bundesliga. You have to get used to being able to focus on everything.

Last year, your team's self-proclaimed title hopes were dashed even before the play-offs, which was a major setback. How do you deal with such disappointment?

It has to be said that our elimination from both the cup and the Bundesliga was very bitter. But disappointments are part of sport, and you have to be able to put them behind you. Due to the many tournaments, the team was no longer together afterwards, so there was no collective processing of the disappointment. Everyone dealt with it on their own.

The only visible reaction was the re-signing of Jonathan Groth. Otherwise, Fulda's team is the same one that had to bury any hopes of a title early on in both competitions last season. What have you and your teammates set out to do besides making amends?

I played with Jonathan Groth in our team a few years ago, so I'm really happy that he's back. He's become a world-class player, so we hope we can step it up a notch and continue to aim for the same goals as last season: reaching the cup final and making the play-offs. In my opinion, we have taken a step in the right direction to achieve this.

The schedule has your team facing a so-called blockbuster match against record champions Borussia Düsseldorf right at the start of the season. Does such a challenge automatically mean even greater concentration at the start?

I'm really looking forward to it. As I said, last season's match in front of 3,000 spectators in the Esperanto Hall was sensational. It was also Timo Boll's last match in Fulda, which made it even more special. We are delighted that this year's match will take place in front of a similar crowd, and after getting off to a good start against Düsseldorf last year, we want to build on that and then see how things develop.

You mentioned that Timo Boll will no longer be playing for Düsseldorf. How will that change the character of this traditional rivalry?

We have played Borussia Fulda many times before, so it remains a bit of a traditional rivalry. Timo was no longer really in the role of leader in the box last season; Anton Källberg and Dang Qiu had already taken over that role. Now you have Kanak Jha, who is currently playing strongly internationally. That's why it remains difficult against Düsseldorf.

You played alongside Boll in the national team for several years and celebrated many successes together. How affected were you by his retirement?

I had some really great moments with Timo. I was also delighted to accept his invitation to his private retirement party, which was another wonderful moment. I wouldn't have wanted to miss it, because Timo has been such an icon who has done so much for our sport. You could also tell that it was very emotional for Timo at times. I am very happy that I was able to be there for his farewell.

According to many observers, the transfer of Olympic champion Fan Zhendong to 1. FC Saarbrücken-TT came at just the right time after Boll's retirement. Can such a superstar sustainably fill the vacuum left by Boll as the league's figurehead?

It's really great for the league that Saarbrücken has managed to pull off this coup with Fan Zhendong. I also believe that the whole league will benefit from Fan Zhendong. I just hope that he will play a lot of matches so that everyone has the opportunity to see him in the league.

Back to Fulda from Fan. How much did your team swallow after Groth's upgrade when Saarbrücken announced its coup with Fan?

What do you mean by ‘stunned’? Of course, Saarbrücken's signing of Fan Zhendong has made winning the title more difficult than previously thought. You have to acknowledge what a strong team Saarbrücken now has. Of course, we'll have to wait and see how often Fan ultimately plays, even though it's clear that he'll probably play in the play-offs. That means you have to get past him if you want to win, but you also have to be able to beat other strong teams like Ochsenhausen and Saarbrücken. With Jonathan Groth joining us, we can still aim high in Fulda; with our complete team, we are simply a top team.

Last season, you had a slightly negative record with 7 wins and 10 losses, but you excelled in the second half of the season with five wins in seven matches. What are your goals this time around, and what is your role in Fulda's squad?

Without one or two unfortunate defeats, I could have achieved more last season. That's why my goal this time is to play towards a balanced record again. I'm no longer in the role of a leading player, nor am I someone who pushes himself to the forefront and demands to play all the time. I don't have anything to prove anymore, but I want to and will be there when the team needs me.

You extended your contract in the spring for a 13th season. Do you really want to play in Fulda until you win a title, as you said when you announced your signing? Or, at almost 38, are thoughts of ending your professional career becoming more concrete?

If I win a title in the near future, I would like to continue playing for as long as possible. It is clear that I feel at home in Fulda and will end my career here. It would be nice if I could win another title, but I cannot and will not delay my retirement until then. Whether I will retire soon or a little later depends on several factors that are not yet certain, such as my nomination for the national team. But in any case, the end of my career will not drag on forever.

Thank you very much for the interview, Ruwen Filus.

Interview: Florian Manzke
Featured image above: Ruwen Filus (TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell)