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.
