"Most likely this is the last Indonesia Open for me. But I also do not want to be too excited as it is the last, I want to give the best. Because last year (I) was the champion of Indonesia Open, so the curiosity began disappearing," she said here on Monday.
Liliyana Natsir, was pair of All England Champion 2012, 2013, and 2014. Natsir paired with Tontowi Ahmad.
Despite issuing statement that the 2018 Indonesia Open and the 2018 Asian Games will be the last for her, the player born in Manado (North Sulawesi) on September 9, 1985, confirmed after the Asian Games, she will still compete on the world badminton stage until the end of 2018.
"Given this is the last, surely I will miss the match moments in the Istora (stadium), let alone as the host. The supporters are amazing, the support is amazing, I will miss those days," she remarked.
Liliyana had serious knee injury at the end of 2016. But, thanks to good cooperation with Tontowi who is more active in controlling the field, they still can compete. One proof is they had title of World Champion 2017.
Now, however, Liliyana said the injury was no longer a problem. The recovery progress is quite good, although it takes longer.
Liliyana claimed to have been preparing for his retirement since a long time. In the future, Liliyana will fill her time by taking care of her business, including a family reflection center and several property businesses. But Liliyana has not yet thought of becoming a coach.
"Before entering the retirement, I had prepared to do business. I open family reflexology, but cannot compete with (her senior) Susy Susanti. My business is still small, unlike Susy`s that has many branches, hopefully it can be a lot too. Then I have a property business, still studying too," she noted.
A total of 45 Asian countries have signed up to participate in the 2018 Asian Games, which will be hosted by Jakarta and Palembang from August 18 to September 2, 2018.
Reported by Ricky Prayoga
(B003/H-YH)
(T.SYS/A/KR-BSR/A/H-YH)
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
