It wasn’t the best of starts in the best of physical conditions for Mark Lamsfuss at Paris 2024 but his resolve won him praise and appreciation from his men’s doubles partner Marvin Seidel.

This is what the German pair had to say after their opening 21-13 21-17 Group C defeat to Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto on Saturday.

LAMSFUSS

On their performance

“I’m not on my level, the injury is just too bad to my knee. I can’t really run. We tried to enjoy it and Marvin did a great job covering the court for me.”

On his injured right knee

“It was a tough time. I had two months of recovery and rehab where it didn’t get better at all, then I had a small surgery six weeks ago. We just tried to get our way back, but there wasn’t enough time.”

On not skipping the Olympics

“It’s the biggest event in our sport. I just wanted to step on court, to show Germany I try my best, even though it might be quite tough.”

On not being able to play his highest level in front of his family

“Everyone is coming here to support me, and they planned it a long time ago. I know they don’t judge me at all, they know what I did in the last couple of months (rehab to get to Paris). Instead, it feels like sh*t to just stand there and not being able to move at all.”

SEIDEL

On Lamsfuss

“I’m impressed with how he handles this situation, and a lot of it also comes from not wanting to let me down, and I appreciate that a lot. Maybe I should have told him this a bit more often than I actually did. I will probably after the matches, because I know it’s really, really tough for him to step on court with the biggest pain he could imagine, and not being able to perform at the level he wants.”

On how he manages to stay upbeat, despite his partner’s struggles

“Definitely because of the Olympics. There would be other times when I’d be frustrated we cannot perform our 100 per cent. But the last few months, where I saw it coming that Mark will not be able to, also took me through different stages of emotions. It was really tough at times.”

On being watched by his family

“I met my wife before the match and started crying because it’s a big thing for us to be here. She just arrived (in Paris) this morning and we weren’t sure if we could meet each other before the match. Our bus went the wrong way and it took almost an hour instead of 15 minutes, so we were late. But we still managed to catch up. As soon as we hugged, I started crying like crazy. It’s really emotional.”

On the silver necklace given to him by his wife at that meeting

“It says ‘strength, love and spirit’. My wife made it as a present for me. She gave it to me literally just before our warm-up. She also wrote me a long letter before I left to the Olympics, with all the things she likes about me. It means a lot, she supports me a lot.”

On what he does in return

“I just try to be a good husband. I didn’t give her a present but I will figure something out to make her happy.”