Ratchanok Inatnon’s coach Pattapol Ngensrisuk said focus on mental aspects of her game was the key that propelled the Thai badminton queen to a Super Series hattrick as she returned home yesterday amidst huge media attention and rapturous welcome.
The Banthongyord Badminton School's coach, who arrived alongside the country's sweetheart on a flight from Singapore where she won a his¬toric third consecutive Super Series title in three weeks, said Ratchanok worked on her mental approach.
"To be a top player, you have to be consistent. In the past May [her nickname] had many ups and downs, sometimes playing so well but mostly poorly. So we sat and talked and came up with three areas that she needed to fix which were fitness, skills and most importantly mental side of her game," said Pattarapol.
"While she could improve her physical condition and the skills which she's already had to some extent, it was the mental aspect she needed to emphasise on. So before the Indian Open, she started working on that," added Pattapol.
"To be a top player, you have to be consistent. In the past May [her nickname] had many ups and downs, sometimes playing so well but mostly poorly. So we sat and talked and came up with three areas that she needed to fix which were fitness, skills and most importantly mental side of her game," said Pattarapol.
"While she could improve her physical condition and the skills which she's already had to some extent, it was the mental aspect she needed to emphasise on. So before the Indian Open, she started working on that," added Pattapol.
More determined and more focused, the 21yearold Ratchanok showed signs of significant improvement when she easily beat archrival Li Xuerui of China 2117 2118 for the Indian Open title, followed by easy wins over Taiwanese Tai Tzu Ying in the Malaysian Open and on Sunday over China's Sun Yu in Singapore to mark herself as the first player, men or women, in the history to win three straight Super Series crowns. She is also expected to rise to No 1 in the world on Thursday.
With a week ahead of the Asian Championships where Ratchanok has to defend her title, the coach said training programme of Ratchanok has to be trimmed down to allow her body to recover.
"From what I observed during Singapore Open, her footwork began to slow down obviously from playing 15 matches in three weeks not because she was not fit. Her training sessions will be cut to two a day instead of three like usual," added the coach.
Ratchanok, meanwhile, was bombarded with questions by a horde of media upon her arrival at the Don Muang Airport on Monday morning with her family and Badminton Association of Thailand president Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul welcoming her entourage. The current world No 2 said she was fatigued after reaching three finals in three weeks but still confident she would recover in time for the Asian Championships.
"It will be tough from the quarterfinals onwards but if can maintain my level of play there shouldn't be any problem. My goal is still to defend the title and remain as one of the top four seeds in the Olympics from where I want to bring a medal home," added Ratchanok, who was presented bou¬quets from Princess Bajra Kitiyabha and Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana through a royal representative.
She added her romance with bad¬minton player Pannawit Thongnuam has partially motivated her in putting maximum efforts but also paid tribute to the support from fans and close people that has significantly boosted her morale.
"From what I observed during Singapore Open, her footwork began to slow down obviously from playing 15 matches in three weeks not because she was not fit. Her training sessions will be cut to two a day instead of three like usual," added the coach.
Ratchanok, meanwhile, was bombarded with questions by a horde of media upon her arrival at the Don Muang Airport on Monday morning with her family and Badminton Association of Thailand president Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul welcoming her entourage. The current world No 2 said she was fatigued after reaching three finals in three weeks but still confident she would recover in time for the Asian Championships.
"It will be tough from the quarterfinals onwards but if can maintain my level of play there shouldn't be any problem. My goal is still to defend the title and remain as one of the top four seeds in the Olympics from where I want to bring a medal home," added Ratchanok, who was presented bou¬quets from Princess Bajra Kitiyabha and Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana through a royal representative.
She added her romance with bad¬minton player Pannawit Thongnuam has partially motivated her in putting maximum efforts but also paid tribute to the support from fans and close people that has significantly boosted her morale.
"Thanks to the fans who always support me no matter I win or lose," said the badminton star.
Asked if the sacred amulet of Lord Ganesh she was wearing around her neck (given by her benefactor Kamala Thongkorn) over the past three weeks has helped her to win, she said: "Somehow the amulet helped intimidate my opponents. I worship Ganesh, who I believe helps my movement. If you don't believe it, don't disrespect it. Don't bash it, until or unless you've tried it.
Ratchanok will call on Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha at the Government House tomorrow afternoon.
Asked if the sacred amulet of Lord Ganesh she was wearing around her neck (given by her benefactor Kamala Thongkorn) over the past three weeks has helped her to win, she said: "Somehow the amulet helped intimidate my opponents. I worship Ganesh, who I believe helps my movement. If you don't believe it, don't disrespect it. Don't bash it, until or unless you've tried it.
Ratchanok will call on Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha at the Government House tomorrow afternoon.
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