JAKARTA - Gregoria Mariska Tunjung was eliminated from the Tokyo Olympics after being defeated by world number six Ratchanok Intanon from Thailand in the round of 16.
In the match that lasted for 39 minutes, Thursday, Gregoria lost in two straight games with the position 12-21, 19-21.
“Actually, I really want this Olympics to be a place to prove myself that I can do it. But what I have is that I feel pressured on the field," said Gregoria in an official statement from the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI), Thursday, as reported by Antara.
According to the 21-year-old badminton player, the feeling of pressure he experienced during the match finally had a huge impact on his game, especially in the first game.
"Because I feel pressured, my game is less developed. I wanted to perform to the maximum, all out, because this is the Olympics, once every four years, but it didn't work out," said Gregoria.
Regarding the course of the match, the athlete who graduated from the PB Mutiara Cardinal Bandung badminton club admitted that he was provoked by the opponent's game in the first game.
He said that Intanon forced him to play at a fast tempo. Even though Gregoria clearly realized that fast play would not be in his favor.
“My first game was provoked by the opponent's fast game. It's not profitable for me though. The opponent seems to have deliberately provoked me. As a result, many of my return balls are 'out' and I often make mistakes myself, “said Gregoria.
Entering the second game, Gregoria, who was ranked 23rd in the world, tried to get up. Slowly he began to be able to regulate the rhythm of his own game. He admitted that he wanted to put up a fight, not wanting to lose to Intanon.
“In the second game, at first I couldn't control the rhythm. But in the middle, when I fell far behind, I just thought that I didn't want to lose just like that, I would regret it later. After that, I tried to adjust the rhythm, got points, but still couldn't get past the opponent. My game is underdeveloped," said Gregoria.
Based on BWF records, the two players have met in seven other tournaments before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Of the seven meetings, Gregoria has never won once against Intanon.
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