What is common between Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, Malaysia’s Ratchanok Intanon and Germany’s Juliane SchenkIJ
Yes, they all play badminton and are big names in the sport but what makes them uniquely similar is that they all, knowingly or unknowingly, are part of the process that has challenged the Chinese supremacy on badminton court.
Saina lost in the second round of the recently concluded World Championship in Guangzhou, China and Schenk could not participate due to a fued with her home association. But their absence didn’t affect the proccess of breaching the Chinese wall as Sindhu (bronze) and Inthanon (gold) finished at the podium beating several Chinese players on their way.
Schenk feels it is good that more and more players from around the world are coming forward and making their mark in the China-dominated sport. “…it is good to see in this world edition, so many players from different countries do well. I am not surprised to see Ratchanok claiming the gold. It is just interesting,” she said when asked for her opinion on Sindhu and Inthanon’s exploits at the World Championship. “It makes me feel proud because me and Saina Nehwal started the process of pushing the Chinese,” the 30-year-old German added.
Schenk had won the bronze medal at the previous edition of the World Championship but gave it a miss this year due to a discord with German Badminton Association (GBA) and she has no regret about her decision.
“I didn’t play because of what happened with the Association. It was just a good decision for me. They gave me a dismissal and I have nothing more to expect from my country,” she said.
“I can’t even practice there then why should I represent my country in the world championship when I don’t have any support. It doesn’t make sense.
“What I experienced is that they try to keep the power. For me, I didn’t get fully accepted for the personality I have because I started to change something. I called my retirement till the end of the year. It is impossible to change the whole association. I knew there is no future for me in Germany, so I had to go pro,” she added.
World No 3 Schenk, who won the Singapore Open and Bitburger Open in 2012, said she is not missing playing for her country and is happy with the freedom that has come with her decision to turn pro.
“It is kind of freedom,” she said.
“Although I want to play in the World Championship but I think it’s good to have this freedom that even though I am world number three, it was okay for me to decide ‘no, I don’t want to play this World Championship’. It is a totally new feeling for me.
“I don’t know what future will bring but I noticed there are many different doors opening up for me. This shows there is a lot of respect when other players ask me to join them in practice. That is something which gives you good feeling,” she added.
Schenk has been bought by the Pune Pistons for a whopping $90,000 in the Indian Badminton league. She is delighted to be a part of the million-dollar first of its kind league.
“For the first time in badminton history, there is a league where teams can buy players and bid for them at an auction. The IBl opens up the market and brings new perspective not only to players, but also to the sport in general,” she added.
“The concept of auctioning players is common to soccer and cricket, but the IBl has introduced an interesting dimension to badminton by creating a new value for players in the market,” Schenk, who finished runners-up in the 2013 India Open.
“I think one of the biggest challenges will be to form a strong team with different players coming from different countries. As you have five matches in each team encounter and almost each two days, getting the team into the rhythm with hectic travelling will be the key. The team which can connect the players and the coaches well with each other will stand a good chance of winning.
“I am happy to be a part of the first edition of IBl. We have a good team. I think it is exciting to get own rhythm, we travel and get the spirit going, get a good bonding and have an exciting time. I am looking forward to it,” she said.
Asked about life after Indian Badminton league, Schenk said: “I plan to play in the upcoming months till the end of the year and after that I have to rethink what I need to do. Anything is possible. I will play a few selected tournaments. But I still have some duties towards BWF. As a top player, I have to play a certain number of super series.”