The sentence may sound trite, but for me, being there really is everything.

It means something really big for me to be part of the Olympic team.

I only see a good result in the doubles competition with Kevin Krawietz as a bonus.

Although I don't define good performance for myself and don't even mention the word medals.

Peter Hess

Sports editor.

  • Follow I follow

Because that is the case, Kevin and I also took part in the opening ceremony, although the DOSB recommended that all athletes who are in action on Saturday not do so.

We'll see whether the sub-optimal match preparation has harmed our sporting ambitions.

Hardly any change

But we German tennis players don't go to bed before 2 a.m. anyway, jetlag still has us under control.

Before the match, Kevin and I are optimistic that it will be enough against the Argentinians Diego Schwartzman and Facundo Bagnis.

In the meantime we have got used to everyday life at the Olympics, which wasn't very difficult because it hardly offers any variety: train, eat, sleep, hang out.

The training with our team is a lot of fun, the facility is okay and only ten minutes by bus from the Olympic village.

As a friend of Asian cuisine, I am well served with the food, gyoza, sushi and salad are my favorites.

Cultivated hanging out

Cultivating hanging out is a challenging task.

Because the wish of the organizers is omnipresent: if possible, no contacts.

The Olympic Village was designed like many new housing developments in large cities: many flats and apartments in a small space.

The German Olympic team is housed in a skyscraper with the teams from Belgium and Bosnia-Hercegovina.

What city planners and architects have left out are forums, lounges, common rooms of all kinds. When you leave the booth, all you have to do is stand your legs and the guessing game: What kind of sport is the athlete I am currently playing in? There is hardly more than a hello in passing, and even a short conversation gives a guilty conscience because the organizers do not like to see it. There is also a guideline that no more than two athletes should put themselves together for one photo, and then only with a mask.

The organizers would prefer that each individual lock himself up in his or her room.

We don't do that in the tennis team.

Skat is our favorite pastime and sometimes there are only five of us sitting in a small room, chatting nonsense, laughing and teasing each other.

Tennis professionals and school boys on a school trip.

Peter Heß spoke to Tim Pütz, 33-year-old Frankfurt tennis professional who competes in doubles with Kevin Krawietz in Tokyo.