Vietnam’s top female badminton player needs a break after 2024 runs out
Vietnam’s top female badminton player Nguyen Thuy Linh will take a break from international competition after being eliminated from the German Open due to injury and needs to recover physically and mentally.
During her recent European tour in October and early November, Linh reached the second round of the Denmark Open Very 750, where she was defeated by world number 11 Supanida Katethong. She then reached the quarter-finals at the elite level at the Hylo Open Very 300 in Germany, but lost to India’s Malvika Bansod on 1 November. This was particularly disappointing as Bansod was considered the more vulnerable opponent Linh had set her sights on at the Denmark Open fourteen days earlier.
Reflecting on her presentation, Linh expressed her dissatisfaction with not meeting fans’ expectations, blaming part of her struggles on a competitive agenda that has negatively affected her over time.
“I had been competing continuously for a long time, from the Paris Olympic qualifiers to various competitions. My condition began to show signs of overload, and my spirit was also exhausted,” Linh shared with VnExpress.
“Fighting alone in a foreign country is also very difficult. Despite my efforts, there were times when I felt exhausted both mentally and spiritually.”
Linh’s 2024 schedule recalls her support for three BWF World Visit Very 1,000 events in England (Walking), Indonesia (June) and China (September), where she exited in the main draw of each. She also competed in Really 750 events in India (January), France (Walking) and Singapore (May). She has also been playing in lower-level competitions to focus on her possible Paris Olympics bid in July.
The 27-year-old is currently suffering from a number of injuries, including back pain, a problem with his left heel and bleeding in his right heel due to the intensity of play and prolonged travel.
She intends to retire from international competition in 2024, starting with the Korea Open.
“I never need to show up on the field looking tired or not doing my best,” Linh said. “Maintaining my position and competing globally is no longer a need now that the Paris Olympics are over. I want to have time to heal, recover and restore my unity both physically and intellectually.”
Linh started playing professionally at the age of 14 and won the 2015 tournament for top players at the age of 18.
She has been the top female badminton player in Vietnam since around 2018, winning seven consecutive public titles. Linh has also won the Vietnam Open several times in a row since around 2022 and will represent her country at both the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
