After being hesitant to discuss her retirement plans, Ratchanok Intanon has now confirmed that she plans to stay on the badminton circuit for at least another two years.
She made the announcement at the LI-NING Hong Kong Open 2024, right after defeating Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, the same opponent who ended her Olympic Games run in the quarterfinals last month.
“Badminton has been nearly half of my life. Now, I just want to enjoy what remains of my career,” said the 29-year-old following her 21-12, 15-21, 21-10 victory, which advanced her to the quarterfinals of a Super 500 event for the first time since the Indonesia Masters in January.
“I don’t have high goals. I’ll aim for two more years, targeting the Asian Games (in Nagoya, Japan). I want to stay healthy and not put pressure on myself anymore. I want to keep smiling, even when the results don’t go my way.”
Intanon also shared that she had been focusing on muscle strengthening to deal with her left ankle issue, which had affected both her form and confidence. She chose this path instead of surgery.
“It’s been like a cycle. I had to withdraw last year (against Goh Jin Wei) at this same tournament. I feel I’m physically better now, not just compared to last year but also to the start of this year,” said the 2013 world champion.
“That’s because I’ve gained muscle through weight training, which has made me stronger. It might make me look heavier, but it has given me more power. I need strong ankles for my style of play.
“Choosing not to undergo surgery slowed the recovery, but it was the right decision.”
Intanon, who is set to face Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki next, is joined in the quarterfinals by fellow Thai players Busanan Ongbamrungphan and Pornpawee Chochuwong. Both won their matches in straight games, defeating Yeo Jia Min and Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi, respectively.
As a side note, Sujitra Ekmongkolpaisarn remains the only Thai player to have won the women’s singles title at this event, which she did in 2001.
