KUALA LUMPUR: Injuries are bound to happen to athletes but how they bounce back afterwards defines true character.
After making it through to the second round of the Malaysian Open, Danish shuttler Anders Antonsen (pic) shared words of wisdom for Ng Tze Yong, who suffered an unfortunate early exit in the first round after sustaining a back injury against Japan’s Koki Watanabe in front of home crowd at the Axiata Arena yesterday.
Winning his match against H.S. Prannoy, Antonsen recalled the tough times he endured going through injuries in 2022.
‘’I remember during those months in 2022 when I was out with injuries, I was filled with so much uncertainty and isolated myself so I could practise on my own,’’ said the world No. 9 shuttler.
‘’What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, I know it’s a cliche but there is truth to it. If you’re able to get past tough times like these, then pick yourself back up because I believe you will become a stronger version of yourself on the other side,’’ said Antonsen.
Speaking on his encounter with India’s Prannoy, Antonsen was delighted with his long-awaited victory against the eighth seed.
‘’I’m glad to have won in straight sets, it went really well for me overall. I have huge respect for him and I knew it was going to be a tough match.
‘’This is my first time beating him. I was really looking forward to this match since our last meeting back in 2018,’’ said Antonsen.
The two last met at the 2018 Hong Kong Open where Prannoy came out on top in the opening round.
Antonsen will now face Watanabe in the second round with the Japanese shuttler still at full strength after his match with Tze Yong ended early.
But Antonsen is unfazed by the physical challenge that lies ahead. Being on a steady climb since recovering from injuries, he is confident he has what it takes to make it far in the tournament.
‘’Today was just the first round, it was not too straining, so I still have everything in the tank to take him on tomorrow. I feel good,’’ he said.
This will be the third meeting between the two shuttlers with Antonsen claiming victory in both past matches against the world No. 23 Japanese player.
