LILYANA NATSIR: ‘I hope youngsters can match up’

Between matches at the 2010 Badminton Asia Championships, two-time mixed doubles World Champion Lilyana Natsir spoke of her plans for this season and for her future.

Dev S Sukumar/ DNA. (Live in New Delhi)  Photos: BadmintonPhoto.com (archives)

Few teams have resisted the Chinese in the manner of the Indonesian mixed doubles team of Nova Widianto and Lilyana Natsir.  While Taufik Hidayat is the most visible face of Indonesian badminton, Widianto and Lilyana are the rock around which the Indonesians rally in team events like the Sudirman Cup and the Olympics.  Since 2004, the pair has consistently been among the best in the business, winning two successive World Championships gold medals, an Olympic silver, and several Super Series titles.  Last month they came desperately close to their first All England title, losing in a heartbreaker in the third set to a fresh Chinese combination.

“Yes, that was quite sad,” says the affable Lilyana, who will play the Li Ning Singapore Open.  “We were very close to the title.  But we had played a long semi-final, and we were a bit tired.”

She doesn’t see an end to Chinese domination.  If anything, the Chinese are getting more formidable, and she has no ready answers on how her nation can cope up.

“It’s not just in the mixed doubles,” she says.  “They have young players coming up in all events.  With us, it’s like 50-50.  The day we are better focussed, we will win.  Indonesia does not have too many young players coming up.  There are a couple of junior pairs.  I hope they can measure up.”

With Nova Widianto on the wrong side of 30, the Indonesian federation has decided to thrust a dual role upon Lilyana.  She has been paired with the young rookie Devin Lahardi Fitriawan for the Badminton Asia Championships.  “I’ll still play the big tournaments like the Super Series, with Nova, and the Grand Prix events with Devin.  While playing with Nova, each knows our role, but with Devin, I need to be the leader, I need to take charge and direct him.”

Lilyana and Nova Widianto have lost once to BAC top seeds Diju and Jwala, and have a high regard for the Indians.  “Diju almost seems lazy,” says Lilyana, “but he has the ability to hit steep shots and put the shuttle in difficult positions.  Jwala is tall and is powerful, and players tend to forget that she’s a left-hander.  Earlier, they weren’t so good, but now they’re dangerous.  I think it’s because of confidence.”  The 25-year-old sees herself becoming a businesswoman after her playing days are over.  “Well, I have a house and a car, and I’m setting aside money to start a business,” she says.  “I’m not sure what business, though.  I haven’t had time to think of it.  But if the national association wants me to become a coach, I’ll consider it.”