JAKARTA - Ahead of the opening of the Indonesia Masters 2021 match next week, Indonesian women's doubles badminton players Greysia Polii/Apriyani Rahayu claimed to want to play more relaxed and loose in the tournament which is part of the agenda for the Indonesia Badminton Festival 2021.
According to Greysia, this was done because their actual burden in this year's target had been passed through winning the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics last August.
"I personally don't have any pressure at all, but I can't just enjoy it. Here the game is more relaxed because the main challenge this year has been passed. Now we just have to pursue other targets," said Greysia, as reported by Antara, Sunday.
Playing at home makes the 34-year-old athlete more excited even though fatigue is still felt after playing consecutive matches.
Since successfully winning the gold medal in Tokyo, Greysia/Apriyani took part in prestigious events in the Sudirman Cup and Uber Cup, as well as a number of advanced tournaments in Europe.
As preparation for playing at IBF 2021, it is certain that Greysia is making a recovery. But according to him, it is also important to focus on maintaining mentality.
"If the recovery has been several months, now is the stage of keeping the mind more focused," he said.
Meanwhile, Apriyani is still focusing on her training with physical warm-up ahead of the Indonesia Masters match on Tuesday. Strengthening stiff muscles and hands, as well as aspects of energy are still being matured by Apriyani.
"Recovery doesn't mean you don't exercise. I always take care of my leg or hand muscles, and keep the power too. The main thing is to keep my mind awake, maybe just relax," said Apriyani.
For him, playing in the country must be handled wisely so as not to become a burden on the field. Although all tournaments at IBF 2021 are not attended by spectators, for Apriyani the reality of playing as the host has its own psychological value.
"The important thing is how we carry ourselves on the field so that we are not burdened. I thank you very much if the community wishes the best for us. We just enjoy it, and I just always fight," he concluded.
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