Solja was part of the German side that finished as runners-up in the team tournament at Rio 2016.

She also won team gold at the Baku 2015 and Minsk 2019 European Games, while also triumphing in the mixed doubles competition in the Belarusian capital.

Solja has podiumed in the World Championships too, with mixed doubles bronzes coming at Düsseldorf 2017 and Budapest 2019.

"I am ending my career," she said.

"I am very relieved and looking forward to my next stage in life.

"It was a long process until I made this decision.

"It was definitely not a decision in the heat of the moment.

"Table tennis has been my life for as long as I can remember.

"But now I have listened to my heart and realised: I need a radical cut.

"I'm no longer playing in the national team or the Bundesliga.

"I have always been consistent.

"Either I do one thing 100 per cent or not at all.

"I have achieved everything I can in sport, and in some cases even the impossible.

"I have won medals at the Olympic Games, European Games, World Championships, at the World Cup, at the Europe Top 16, the German National Championships in singles and most recently I also became the European champion in women's singles.

"I am also a multiple national champion at club level and a three-time Champions League winner.

"My collection is complete.

"What could still come now would be retakes."

Solja is looking forward to being able to spend more time with her friends and family, and not missing out on family occasions due to competing.

In 2018 she started studying business psychology and has finished one-third of her degree, so she now intends to finish her education.