Tan Ning: Every step in 2023 exceeded expectations

Jayce September 6, 2024 1 0

In the first week of 2023, Tan Ning / Liu Shengshu was ranked 317th in the women’s doubles world ranking. By the end of 2023, they were ranked 8th in the world. With the leap of four championships in one year, they not only won the BWF’s Most Promising Athlete of the Year Award but also put themselves directly into the competition for Olympic qualification.

On the court, Tan Ning had a serious expression. Not only did she not like to laugh, but even when she celebrated, she gave people a feeling of “bitterness and hatred”. However, she said that she did not laugh because she did not dare to laugh, fearing that her energy would be diverted. Even such a Tan Ning was very satisfied with her 2023. She said that every step exceeded expectations.

Is there any hairstyle you want to try?

You should know from my participation in the finals dinner that I don’t have much pursuit for hairstyle. I know you want to ask about long hair, I will try it when I am older.

Question to Dong Ping’s Violent Little Flying Pig: Some people say you look like a red panda, what do you think you look like?

Um, can’t you just be like a human being? Haha.

The midfield has always been the weak spot of this duo. How can we make effective changes to this problem?

When you said that, I thought about it. It’s true. He really looks a bit like Monchichi, especially with his messy hair. As for the midfield, the change is that I practice every day. I almost live in front of the net. I also want to find an idol who is good at the net.

Which game in 2023 left the deepest impression on you?

Can you name two matches? The first one should be the final of the Arctic Open in Finland against the Thai team. In the second game, we reversed the situation after falling behind by a large margin at the end of the game, which led to our subsequent victory. The second game was at the Japan Open, which was our first Super 750 tournament. When we played against Malaysia’s Tan Kangle/Tina, we led 19-16 in the final game but were overturned.

Why doesn’t little Tan Ning like to smile? He always looks serious on the court, but he seems to have a good relationship with foreign players in private.

Are you talking about the interview? Because my partner has already said it very comprehensively, I just need to agree with him. On the court, Pipi would smile a little, but I really didn’t smile at all. Because I can’t smile. If I smile, I don’t know where my energy goes.

What was the opportunity for you to switch from singles to doubles? Do you miss singles?

At the end of 2021, I participated in the national first-team adjustment competition. I participated in both women’s singles and women’s doubles, and I made it to the first team in both events and finally stayed in the women’s doubles group. I can’t say I miss it, because after all, the process of switching from singles to doubles is quite difficult, but after practicing doubles, I miss the old me who can compete in multiple events, is young, and has strong abilities.

Working with Pipi, we achieved great results in 2023. Did you gain a lot of confidence and experience this year?

Are you okay? I think it’s okay. I have confidence, but I want to be better and try to catch up with the older sisters. Right now we are not stable enough, especially in the details. Whether it is technology, tactics or mentality, they are all details. Sometimes, one or two instant details may directly affect the direction of the entire game.

I remember that my grades were not very good at the beginning of the year. Did you doubt yourself at that time? When was the turning point?

It should be Spain. It’s not entirely because of winning the championship. Winning the championship actually turned things around to some extent. From losing in the Ruichang International Challenge, to not playing in the Swiss Open, to playing as a substitute in the Spanish tournament, I felt that I had a little enlightenment in that tournament, and I had a little understanding of doubles. The two of us started to not rely purely on our individual abilities but started to cooperate a little, and our condition improved, so things gradually got better.

Have you become fond of rice recently?

I don’t like it! But I eat it. I have to eat it. I train very hard and need to replenish it when I am tired. Now Dongping sister still reminds me occasionally, and Pipi also often urges me to eat rice.

In the process of choosing to join the doubles group, were there any influences from anyone? Were you worried about the combination of two backcourt players?

I think the biggest influence is myself because it takes a long time to prepare myself mentally and change a lot of things. When we first became partners, we were also worried because our playing styles were too similar. We are both backcourt players, so I may have to make more changes. Pippi also gave me a lot of advice and taught me how to play. She led me to fly. Some people say that Pippi is like a domineering president on the court, but I think she is silly and not domineering at all.

Did the performance in 2023 meet the target?

In fact, I don’t have any goals for myself in 2023, because in the first year, I don’t think about what I can do or what I can definitely do. Therefore, every step I have achieved has exceeded my expectations.

Commenting on his own celebrations, I feel that every time he wins, Tan Ning’s expression and movements are particularly tragic!

Because we often play 3 games, and always come back and win by a narrow margin, I feel like I have survived a big hurdle after winning. I always thought I couldn’t survive such a long women’s doubles match, so when I did it, it was also a kind of relief. However, I can indeed do a better job of managing my facial expressions and movements.