Bangkok: Thailand’s World No. 8 women’s singles player Ratchanok Intanon is expected to miss the rest of the 2023 season, including the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, after suffering a torn ligament in her left ankle.
The 28-year-old Intanon, who is the top-ranked badminton player in Thailand, sustained the injury during the Hong Kong Open last week against Mia Blichfeldt in the first round. She was forced to withdraw from the tournament before the top 16 round against Goh Jin Wei of Malaysia, and subsequent tests revealed that she had torn a ligament in her ankle.
While surgery is not required, Intanon is expected to be sidelined for 6-8 weeks. This means that she will miss the Asian Games, and possibly the remainder of the 2023 BWF World Tour season.
Intanon’s absence in the Asian Games is a major blow to the Thai badminton team. She is one of the team’s most experienced and successful players, and she was expected to be a medal contender in the Asian Games.
However, Intanon has vowed to come back stronger from her injury. She has already begun her rehabilitation process, and she is determined to return to the court as soon as possible.
“I am very disappointed to have to miss the rest of the season, but my health is the most important thing,” Intanon said in a statement. “I will focus on my rehabilitation and come back stronger than before.”
Intanon’s injury is also a reminder of the dangers of slippery courts. Several other players, including Thai player Pornpawee Chochuwong, Zhang Beiwen of the USA, Carolina Marin of Spain, and Malaysian women’s doubles player Pearly Tan, were also injured at the Hong Kong Open due to the slippery condition of the court.
