ZDF expert Christoph Kramer wants to leave the public behind

During an appearance on the talk show “3nach9” the 35‑year‑old Christoph Kramer, former world champion and now ZDF expert, speaks openly about the problem that has accompanied him since the end of his active career in 2024: the constant attention of the public.

Public pressure as poison

Kramer describes public appraisal as a “sweet fruit” that is simultaneously toxic and addictive. “I have realized throughout my whole life – and I’m not that terribly old yet – that this sweet fruit of the public … is very toxic and yet unfortunately truly addictive,” he explained.

He observed other celebrities, naming Thomas Gottschalk and Stefan Raab as examples of people who have made the leap to a more peaceful life but then returned. “There is no explanation for that, because they no longer need money. It’s simply that external validation that somehow becomes addictive,” Kramer added.

Author and media personality

In addition to his work as a TV expert for ZDF, Kramer began working as an author already during his playing career. His first novel “Das Leben fing im Sommer an” immediately landed on the Spiegel bestseller list, and now his second work “Wolkenberührpunkt” is being published. Among his teammates, however, the writing was met with little enthusiasm; he recalled that it was “not even glanced at.”

Kramer wants to leave public appearances behind at some point. He has resolved to have nothing more to do with the public in the future and is seeking a “happy, quiet peace,” without the constant need for applause. He knows that this is a huge task, because he has been validated from the outside since his childhood.

Despite this intention, he remains in the spotlight for now, because every weekend he opens the newspaper to read how he played and what rating he received. “Therefore, this cannot happen overnight,” he emphasizes, calling for a conscious “untraining” of external validation.