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India Today
18-05-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Lakshya Sen: What has gone wrong with the promising badminton star?
There's no hiding from the fact that the metallic wand which once worked like a charm for Lakshya Sen is no longer producing the same magic. In recent months, Sen has experienced more setbacks than successes. From coming agonisingly close to Olympic glory to faltering in the early rounds of tournaments, the shuttler has seen a significant dip in the Paris Games, where he finished fourth, Sen struggled to string together wins. Back-to-back early exits at the Kumamoto Masters, Denmark Open, and Arctic Open raised concerns. A striking pattern in his defeats was his tendency to lose from advantageous positions—he let two matches slip away despite being a game Sen briefly redeemed himself by clinching his first Syed Modi International title. The comeback was short-lived, as he delivered underwhelming performances in the All England Open, Asia Championships, and Thailand Open. His rough patch has lasted longer than anyone anticipated. When an athlete endures a prolonged slump, the conversation typically centres around two possibilities: is it a technical flaw or a mental block? In Sen's case, it appears to be more of a mental challenge—at least according to his coach, Vimal Kumar. Vimal believes that Sen needs to change his mindset on court, which could be the key to unlocking the consistent results that have eluded him of late."He needs to overcome how to deal with a particular situation. I have talked to him enough on that. He also knows but has to apply himself and get that thing done. Nobody else can. It's only his hands, how the thought process happens and how he deals with it,' Vimal told Hindustan Padukone had earlier stated that it was in fact on the players to introspect, and find a way to win.'The players need to introspect, and not just keep asking for more from the federations. They need to ask themselves whether they are working hard enough. Ultimately the responsibility is on the players to go and deliver when it matters the most," Padukone had expressed after Sen's loss in the bronze medal match at the Paris the Paris Olympics, Sen emerged as India's best-performing badminton player, defeating several higher-ranked opponents during an impressive run. Hailed as a future champion by none other than Viktor Axelsen, Sen now faces a formidable challenge—not just to overcome his mental block, but to do what champions are known for: win by Sidharth GulatiMust Watch
The Star
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Mixed doubles shuttler grateful for chance to play again after knee injury
Back in action: Yap Roy King-Valeree Siow tried their best but fell in the opening round of the Thailand Open to South Korea's Ki Dong-ju-Jeong Na-eun. PETALING JAYA: Injuries are every athlete's worst nightmare, and for some, it can mark the end of a promising career. That is why mixed doubles shuttler Valeree Siow feels nothing but relief after overcoming a serious knee injury that she described as one of the lowest points of her career. The 23-year-old sustained the injury during the Arctic Open in October last year, forcing her and partner Yap Roy King to withdraw midway through their first round match against England's Ethan Leeuwen-Chloe Coney. Looking back, Valeree is grateful to have made a successful return and even more thankful that her story didn't end the way it did for some of her seniors who were forced to retire due to long-term injuries. After a six-month layoff, the Perak-born shuttler made a surprise return to international competition when she received a last-minute invitation from Badminton Asia to compete in the Asian Championships in Ningbo, China, in early April. Valeree-Roy King managed to reach the second round of the tournament, but this week, their campaign at the ongoing Thailand Open in Bangkok was cut short after they fell in the opening round to South Korea's Ki Dong-ju-Jeong Na-eun. 'I only found out I'd be playing in the Asian Championships two weeks before the tournament through my coach, and I just tried to prepare as best as I could,' said Valeree. 'To be honest, I wouldn't say I'm happy, but I'm very thankful because it was a very serious injury. 'I'm proud of myself for doing everything I could to get back on court within this time. It was the worst injury I've ever had.' As for the Malaysian Masters starting on Tuesday, Valeree is keeping her expectations in check despite facing India's Sathish Karunakaran-Aadya Variyath in the opening round. She is also leaving all planning in the hands of coach Nova Widianto, who had previously expressed his intention to reshuffle the current mixed doubles pairings in the national squad. 'I didn't think too much about it (referring to seniors who had to retire due to injuries). I just focused on what I needed to do. I'm just glad that I didn't let the injury defeat me. 'For now, my only hope is to regain my rhythm and momentum, and most importantly, to stay injury-free,' she added.
New Straits Times
27-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Betting on doubles power
KUALA LUMPUR: The singles may prove tricky for Malaysia but the team should seal a win purely on their doubles firepower against an under-strength France in the opening Group C match at the Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, China, today. Malaysia must beat the emerging European power at the Xiamen Olympic Sports Centre as another victory against Australia on April 29 will confirm their quarter-final berth. The absences of France's elite — men's singles Alex Lanier (world No. 10), men's doubles Christo Popov-Toma Junior Popov (No. 18) and mixed doubles Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue (No. 10) — have made the mission easier for joint-fifth seed Malaysia. However, the men's singles could still be tricky as the experienced world No. 62 Arnaud Merkle could make things difficult for world No. 26 Leong Jun Hao who had to battle for three games against the Frenchman at the Arctic Open in Finland in October. National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen is unlikely to deploy Justin Hoh as the world No. 43 was beaten in straight games by Merkle at the Orleans Masters last month. Women's singles world No. 43 Goh Jin Wei should have the upper hand against world No. 81 Leonice Huet but the Malaysian must not take her unheralded opponent lightly in their first meeting. However, Malaysia should not face any problems in the doubles. The Popov brothers, who won the European title two weeks ago, may pose a strong resistance, but their compatriots Mael Cattoen-Lucas Renoir don't seem capable of withstanding any of the power-packed Malaysian men's pairs. Any of the three pairs — world No. 2 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, newly crowned Asian champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (No. 4) and world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun — should outclass Cattoen-Renoir. In the women's doubles, world No. 5 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah are a class above Margot Lambert-Camille Pognante while mixed doubles world No. 3 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai are also unlikely to be tested by Gregoire Deschamps-Margot Lambert (No. 120). Malaysia will most likely field their best line-up against France in order to allow the main players to gain momentum. Jun Hao, who is the co-captain of the team with Pearly, will be hoping to have a winning start in order to settle his nerves and prove that he is a worthy foil in the absence of the injured world No. 9 Lee Zii Jia in Xiamen.
New Straits Times
25-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Toasted by France? Only if we get cocky, warns coach Jonassen
KUALA LUMPUR: National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen has urged his players to stay humble and avoid complacency when they face a weakened French side in their opening Sudirman Cup tie in Xiamen on Monday (April 28). Jonassen is wary of players easing off against under-strength opposition and stressed the importance of staying sharp as Malaysia look to make a strong start in Group C, which also includes Japan and Australia. France, surprisingly, have left out several key names, including newly crowned European champion and world No. 10 Alex Lanier, as well as world No. 20 Toma Junior Popov, whom the former beat in the men's singles final on April 13. Also missing is Toma's brother Christo, whom he won the European men's doubles title with in an all-French final against Eloi Adam-Leo Rossi earlier this month. Adam-Rossi along with world No. 10 Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue (mixed doubles), and women's doubles Margot Lambert-Anne Tran, who won the European title last year, are also not in the French squad. Had France sent their full-strength squad, they could have posed a real threat to Malaysia's hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals. But Jonassen has warned his charges not to get carried away by the absentees. "Playing in a team event is about staying humble, having belief and showing respect to all opponents," said Jonassen at the Xiamen Olympic Sports Centre on Friday. "The key is to remain focused ahead of the opening tie. The players must not take anything for granted. They need to stay alert and be ready for any surprises against France." Jonassen was also pleased with the team's first training session at the tournament venue. "We learned a lot about the main hall from our first hit-out. We'll have individualised sessions to get the intensity back up," he said. "Specific preparation for our first match against France will begin tomorrow (Saturday)." The pivotal clash could be in the men's singles, where world No. 26 Leong Jun Hao is expected to face France's top-ranked player in Xiamen, world No. 62 Arnaud Merkle. Jun Hao narrowly edged Merkle in three games in their only previous meeting at the 2023 Arctic Open. Jonassen's steady hand will be crucial in guiding the Malaysians to a confident start and setting the tone for a smooth campaign in Xiamen.
New Straits Times
25-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Jonassen reminds shuttlers to 'stay on their toes' against depleted France
KUALA LUMPUR: National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen has urged his players to stay humble and avoid complacency when they face a weakened French side in their opening Sudirman Cup tie in Xiamen on Monday (April 28). Jonassen is wary of players easing off against under-strength opposition and stressed the importance of staying sharp as Malaysia look to make a strong start in Group C, which also includes Japan and Australia. France, surprisingly, have left out several key names, including newly crowned European champion and world No. 10 Alex Lanier, as well as world No. 20 Toma Junior Popov, whom the former beat in the men's singles final on April 13. Also missing is Toma's brother Christo, whom he won the European men's doubles title with in an all-French final against Eloi Adam-Leo Rossi earlier this month. Adam-Rossi along with world No. 10 Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue (mixed doubles), and women's doubles Margot Lambert-Anne Tran, who won the European title last year, are also not in the French squad. Had France sent their full-strength squad, they could have posed a real threat to Malaysia's hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals. But Jonassen has warned his charges not to get carried away by the absentees. "Playing in a team event is about staying humble, having belief and showing respect to all opponents," said Jonassen at the Xiamen Olympic Sports Centre on Friday. "The key is to remain focused ahead of the opening tie. The players must not take anything for granted. They need to stay alert and be ready for any surprises against France." Jonassen was also pleased with the team's first training session at the tournament venue. "We learned a lot about the main hall from our first hit-out. We'll have individualised sessions to get the intensity back up," he said. "Specific preparation for our first match against France will begin tomorrow (Saturday)." The pivotal clash could be in the men's singles, where world No. 26 Leong Jun Hao is expected to face France's top-ranked player in Xiamen, world No. 62 Arnaud Merkle. Jun Hao narrowly edged Merkle in three games in their only previous meeting at the 2023 Arctic Open. Jonassen's steady hand will be crucial in guiding the Malaysians to a confident start and setting the tone for a smooth campaign in Xiamen.
