The 2025 German singles champions are Annett KAUFMANN and Kay STUMPER. While KAUFMANN successfully defended her title from last year, STUMPER claimed his first national singles crown. The 18-year-old KAUFMANN defeated Sabine WINTER in the final, earning a measure of revenge after losing to her in the 2023 final. STUMPER prevailed in a thrilling seven-game battle against Fanbo MENG.
In both the 2023 German Nationals final and a Bundesliga clash earlier this season, WINTER had emerged victorious. But in Erfurt, it was KAUFMANN who had the final word, claiming her second national singles title.
“It was my goal, but I knew it would be very difficult. It could just as easily have gone Sabine’s way,” said KAUFMANN. “After my defeat in the final in 2023, this is my little revenge. This title means a lot to me—just to prove to myself that even when Sabine is there, someone who has knocked me out many times, I can still win, both through my game and my mental strength.”
WINTER started strongly, taking the opening game 11-4, while KAUFMANN initially struggled to find her rhythm. But the defending champion turned the match around with composure and confidence.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play a lot against pimples and anti-topspin rubbers since I was a child, so I’m always happy when I get to face that type of material,” KAUFMANN explained. “So I definitely prefer Sabine with anti-spin rubbers than with offensive ones.”
The men’s singles final between Kay STUMPER and Fanbo MENG was a nail-biter from start to finish. STUMPER led 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2, but MENG continued to battle back. The fourth game, which MENG won 20-18, was especially dramatic. Ultimately, the match went to a deciding seventh game. STUMPER surged ahead 6-0, but the gap narrowed, and in the end, just two points separated them—Stumper held his nerve and claimed victory.
“I’m overjoyed and can’t quite believe it yet,” said the new champion in his first reaction. STUMPER had previously reached the podium in 2024, earning bronze, but this time he went all the way.
“I’m just incredibly exhausted right now. It’s been a long tournament, and the final was physically demanding,” the 23-year-old said. “Now I’m just really happy I managed to win.”
Tears of joy marked the conclusion of the women’s doubles final, as Kathrin MÜHLBACH and Sabine WINTER reclaimed the title they had first won 15 years ago. In a tense and high-quality match, they edged past the rising duo of Josephina NEUMANN and Koharu ITAGAKI, 3-2.
In the men’s doubles, André BERTELSMEIER and Wim VERDONSCHOT captured their first senior national title, marking a milestone in their careers.
Tanja KRÄMER, aged 45, added the only missing piece to her collection by winning the mixed doubles title. Already a former singles champion and three-time doubles winner, she partnered with Tobias HIPPLER to claim victory. The pair first overcame Lisa WANG and Cedric MEISSNER, then defeated NEUMANN and Kirill FADEEV in the final.
For HIPPLER, this was a second mixed doubles title—his first came in 2021 with Franziska SCHREINER.
Held in Thuringia’s capital from June 6–9, the TT Finals are one of the premier events on Germany’s table tennis calendar. The tournament showcases the nation’s top players in both the men’s and women’s competitions, along with youth players (ages 15 to 19), masters athletes, and lower-tier performance classes. More than 1,000 participants competed during the long Whitsun weekend at the Erfurt Exhibition Centre, making it a true celebration of table tennis across all levels.
