Carla Nelte has announced that she will finish her badminton career for Team Germany. The 28-year-old spoke to Badminton Europe about her reasons, as well as her plans for the future.
When Carla Nelte was five years old, she started to play badminton. Now, 23 years later, the German has decided to stop representing her home country at an international level.
The reasons for Nelte to end her career on court are personally motivated:
- I have enjoyed all the years that I was able to play for Germany. But now, I aim to be a primary school teacher. I will begin my teacher training for German and Science classes and I am looking for new challenges there, she revealed to Badminton Europe.
Overall, Nelte’s badminton career has been a successful one. In 2012, the Doubles player was able to win the European Women’s Team Championships in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
In 2013, Nelte won gold with Team Germany at the European Mixed Team Championships in Moscow, Russia, which has been a special victory for the Germans, as they were able to beat the favourite, Denmark.
The last match at home
Nelte finishes her career as number 43 in the world in Women’s Doubles, together with Isabel Herttrich. This year, the German Women’s Doubles pair has been the runner-up at the Canada Open.
The recent success of the pair was also the last match for them: They won against their Austrian opponents, Serena Au Yeong/Katharina Hochmeir, in straight games (21-9, 21-14) at the European Mixed Team Championships Qualification in Germany.
Find the draw for the EMTC in Copenhagen in February here
Another reason for Nelte to stop playing badminton for Team Germany is the relocation of the training centre for the German Doubles from Mulheim to Saarbrucken.
- It was difficult for me. As I am living in Oberhausen, I had to travel a lot, which was hard to combine with my family and boyfriend. I am 28 years old and I decided to leave the German national team now, Nelte said.
- Maybe when I would be 20 years old, I would think differently. But now, I want to focus on my professional career. At some point, you also want to have a family, and not just when you are 40 (laughs), she added.
Nelte’s dream: becoming a teacher
When it comes to practising badminton in the future, the German Doubles player has specific expectations and ideas.
- My plan, for now, is to play in the German national league, at least for this and probably the next season. Maybe, there is also the one or another opportunity to play at an international level, like the German Open or other tournaments that are nearby.
- An activity as a coach was never a topic for me. I always enjoyed my own career as a player and it has always been my goal to become a teacher. But maybe, I can encourage children in primary school to play badminton, Nelte added.