Even Lin Dan, the world’s top rank player, had his off days in the badminton court; why should I be an exception? I used to think of badminton as the sport for the girls. Indeed, there was a time when it was treated as a typical homegrown sport played at our own backyards by members of the opposite sex due to lack of modern facilities and the required media pull. Some even treat badminton not as a competitive sport but a form of relaxation, an effective tool for losing weight even and the list goes on. There are other reasons for sure but, for me, one thing is certain, I play the sport not only because of the physical aspect and the competitive edge brought by it, but also because of the mental robustness required from the players. For one, it makes me analyze my opponent’s strong points and try to capitalize on their weak ones. That is how you play a game of wit. One nasty turnover works toward another’s advantage, even the game itself. You may lose the game not because your opponents are playing well but because of your own lack of judgment and simple errors.
Sad to say, we lost two of our games today mostly due to my fault. The first game was supposed to be "in the bag" as the opponents are not even showing a glint of gusto, hitting the shuttle too slow but defense was their key. The second was picture-perfect of a game gone mad. Shuttles went wayward as we desperately tried to close out the match. We started strong but our lead was cut short by committing too many unforced errors in the most crucial part of the game. Finally, at 18-20, a short serve was returned flat at net line causing my partner to hit a lob that was called wide. Two hard hitters lost to women’s doubles pair, one who is a palaro player and the other one is no stranger to winning tournaments. Not bad but embarrassing nonetheless.
Time to shake off this tournament jitters and refocus on my long list of readings that include a forty-seven page regulation on withholding tax. Good night people!
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