Seventeen years on, veteran Ratchanok still chasing glory [WATCH]

New Straits Times

22-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Seventeen years into her international career, Thai badminton queen Ratchanok Intanon remains as determined as ever.
The 30-year-old is driven by two goals, to return to the World Championships podium in Paris in August, and finally secure a long-awaited medal at the Asian Games in Nagoya next year.
Ratchanok began her 2025 season in fine form, reaching the semi-finals of the Malaysia Open before clinching the Indonesia Masters title in January.
Now back in Kuala Lumpur for the Malaysia Masters, the 2013 world champion aims to add a third crown to her name after previous triumphs in 2018 and 2019.
"I still feel there's more I can achieve," said Ratchanok after her commanding 21-14, 21-12 win over Taiwan's Hung Yi Ting in the second round on Thursday.
"My goal this year is to get back into the top eight. But beyond that, I want to fight for a medal at the World Championships and also try to achieve something at the Asian Games because I don't have any medal there yet. That keeps me going."
So far, she has looked sharp, not dropping a game in her opening two matches — having earlier swept aside Malaysia's Goh Jin Wei.
She will play Canada's Michelle Li in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Ratchanok knows the level at the top has risen, but she's not backing down.
"I know how tough it will be. There are many top players now, from China and of course An Se Young. So it's more challenging for me," she said.
"But I still believe I can be a world champion again. I try to focus with everything, my mentality, my performance. I fight with everything."
While no longer Thailand's lone star, Ratchanok welcomes the rise of younger compatriots, and the pressure that comes with it.
In fact, she currently finds herself ranked fourth among Thai women's singles shuttlers at world No. 11, behind Pornpawee Chochuwong (world No. 7), Supanida Katethong (No. 9) and Busanan Ongbamrungphan (No. 10).
"Of course, as the top Thai women's singles player for many years, I don't want to lose to someone ranked lower than me. But this is sport — there are winners and losers," said Ratchanok.
"At the same time, I want the younger players to grow stronger. Sometimes, I play really well against other players, but when I face teammates, I might struggle mentally. So this is also a learning experience — for both them and me."
Even with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics still a few years away, Ratchanok isn't looking too far ahead — instead, she's taking it one season at a time.
"I don't know the future," she said.
"I just go year by year. Next year, it's the Asian Games — that's my focus. I'll see how my body feels, how my fitness holds up. I don't want to force myself. When you force it, you don't enjoy playing."
"But now? I still enjoy the game. I still have the fire."
Ratchanok first burst onto the scene by winning three consecutive World Junior Championships from 2009 to 2011, and rose to prominence when she became world champion in 2013.