Fajar Alfian Happy Sambut Hendra Setiawan Becomes A Coach

Fajar Alfian welcomed the possibility of Hendra Setiawan becoming a coach (doc. PBSI).

JAKARTA The men's doubles specialist, Fajar Alfian, is happy to welcome Hendra Setiawan as a coach after deciding to retire later.

Hendra has announced that he will end his career in badminton through social media Instagram on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Indonesia Masters 2025 will also be his last tournament.

Even though he retired, the legend was rumored not to be far from badminton. Reportedly he will remain at the PBSI National Training Center and carry out his new duties as a coach.

Fajar admitted that Hendra's potential was not in doubt at all. According to him, the veteran player has complete qualifications to carry out his new task.

"He is one of the badminton legends. In my opinion, don't waste it because his dedication to badminton is extraordinary," said Fajar at the PBSI National Training Center on Friday, December 6, 2024.

Hendra spent his career in badminton for approximately 35 years. He also managed to achieve a series of important achievements during that period.

He was recorded as winning the 2008 Olympic men's doubles gold medal in Beijing with his late partner Markis Kido. In addition, he has also won the World Championship four times.

A series of other important achievements are one Thomas Cup, two All England champions, two Asian Games gold medals, three BWF Superseries/BWF Tour Finals titles, and one World Cup.

Fajar said that very rarely players with high discipline and consistency like Hendra.

"Many players may be good, but have retired a lot in their youth. If Hendra has always been consistent," said the All England 2024 champion with Muhammad Rian Ardianto.

Indonesia Masters 2025 is one of three important tournaments at the beginning of this year that Hendra can play. The other two important events are Malaysia and the 2025 India Open.