Jakarta: The Badminton Association of Indonesia or PBSI has decided to withdraw two men’s singles players, World No. 7 Jonatan Christie, World No. 79 Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo, and World No. 272 women’s singles player Putri Kusuma Wardani from participating at the Swiss Open and the German Open in March.
According to PBSI’s new Head of Development and Achievement, Rionny Mainaky, Christie was axed due to his lackluster performance at the two Thailand Opens which concluded last month.
The 2018 Asian Games gold medalist lost to Viktor Axelsen of Denmark 14-21, 5-21 in the quarter-finals of Yonex Thailand Open, and was defeated by H. S. Prannoy of India 21-18, 16-21, 21-23 in the first round of the Toyota Thailand Open.
“We are not satisfied with Jojo’s performance in the two Thailand Opens. I have confirmed with his coach, Hendry, that he better practice more at home to get ready for the next tournament. When he is ready, we’ll send him to the tournaments,” said Rionny.
Meanwhile, Hendry Saputra, the head coach of the Indonesian men’s singles squad, also said that Christie was not ready to compete, instead, it is better to for him to spend more time practicing.
“Let him practice more, we’ll send him to the next tournament when he is ready,” said Hendry.
As for the withdrawal of Wardoyo and Wardani, it’s due the two were at the bottom of the waiting list of those two tournaments in Europe, and they may not even get a chance to compete at all.
“For Putri KW and Chico, they are at the bottom of the waiting list. We don’t want to take the risk that if they go to the two tournaments and don’t get a chance to compete. It’s better for them to practice here, preparing themselves for the next tournament,” explained Rionny.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there’re qualifying rounds at all Super 300 and 500 level tournaments. However, the qualifying round was canceled due to health and safety concerns of the staff and players during the coronavirus pandemic.
Here’s the full list of Indonesian players who will be playing at the Swiss Open and German Open:
Swiss Open:
Men’s Singles: Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, Shesar Hiren Rhustavito
Women’s Singles: Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, Ruselli Hartawan
Men’s Doubles: Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin, Pramudya Kusumawardana/Yeremia Erich Yoche Yacob Rambitan, Bagas Maulana/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri
Women’s Doubles: Greysia Polii/Apriyani Rahayu, Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti/Ribka Sugiarto, Nita Violina Marwah/Putri Syaikah.
Mixed Doubles: Praveen Jordan/Melati Daeva Oktavianti, Hafiz Faizal/Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja, Adnan Maulana/Mychelle Crhystine Bandaso, Rinov Rivaldy/Pitha Haningtyas Mentari.
German Open:
Men’s Singles: Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, Shesar Hiren Rhustavito
Women’s Singles: Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, Ruselli Hartawan
Men’s Doubles: Marcus Fernaldi Gideon/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan, Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto, Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin, Pramudya Kusumawardana/Yeremia Erich Yoche Yacob Rambitan, Bagas Maulana/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri
Women’s Doubles: Greysia Polii/Apriyani Rahayu, Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti/Ribka Sugiarto, Nita Violina Marwah/Putri Syaikah.
Mixed Doubles: Praveen Jordan/Melati Daeva Oktavianti, Hafiz Faizal/Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja, Adnan Maulana/Mychelle Crhystine Bandaso, Rinov Rivaldy/Pitha Haningtyas Mentari.
