Apriyani/Siti Fadia Asked to Learn a Lot from Failure at the 2023 Badminton World Championships

The pair Apriyani Rahayu/Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti. (Photo: Twitter @INABadminton)

JAKARTA - The pair Apriyani Rahayu/Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti failed to present a gold medal at the 2023 Badminton World Championships. The Indonesian mainstay of women's doubles had to be content with occupying the runner-up position after losing to the Chinese pair, Chen Qing Chen/Jia Yi Fan, in two straight games , 16-21, 12-21.

Head Coach of Indonesian Women's Doubles Eng Hian said that what Apriyani/Sifi Fadia had achieved still deserves appreciation. He also said this could be an important turning point for his team to return to their best performance after dropping dramatically in the past year.

"It's true that we haven't won yet, but being a World Championship finalist still deserves appreciation. What Apri/Fadia achieved in Copenhagen is still an achievement that I deserve to appreciate," said Eng Hian in a written statement.

"I hope that from this final match, they can learn many lessons. They also have to prepare technically, physically and mentally when they are going to compete on the field again, especially facing big events in the World Championships and in other big events," said Eng Hian.

In his opinion, Apri/Fadia's appearance in the final was not an anti-climax. According to him, the 2021 SEA Games gold medalist cannot get out of the pressure of the world's number one women's doubles.

"Both of them could not escape the pressure of the opponent. They could not develop the best pattern of play. It can be seen from the ball returns, several times they made many unforced errors," said the coach.

Furthermore, Eng Hian said Chen/Jia must indeed be recognized as full of experience, having consistent achievements and appearances that have made them the best in the world women's doubles sector.

"My hope is that before competing, Apri/Fadia can reduce the strength of the opponent. But appearing in the final of a major championship like the World Championship is different and will greatly affect Apri/Fadia's performance," he said.

"The World Championship final match this time must be a lesson for them going forward. How do they both have to be able to manage expectations and still have to improve and fix the deficiencies that occur in the final match," he concluded.