Thailand have made the last four of the Uber Cup the last three editions, with Ratchanok Intanon playing a lead role in those campaigns.
This time, with the team ace struggling to rediscover her confidence following an ankle injury last year, the Thais will be hard-pressed to match their recent performances. For Intanon, the Uber Cup marks a continuing search for momentum.
“I felt very bad after I lost three tournaments in the first round,” Intanon said, referring to the European circuit, when she fell early at the French Open, All England and Swiss Open. “After that I felt like giving up. I asked myself, why is it always like this, I’ve never faced this before. But then I thought, just do my best, and continue to do what you want, but don’t get too serious. So I think I’m getting better if I don’t think too much.
“My physical condition is not 100 per cent, but even if it is 80 per cent I have to do my best. I have just come back, I have to control myself, and it’s an important time to fill the gap.
“The motivation is okay. I want to come back, but when you lose a match, you lose confidence. But the goal is still the same. I cannot say I will be like (Carolina) Marin or (Pusarla V.) Sindhu – when they come back, they had greater motivation. But for me, sometimes … I just do my best and I cannot compare with others. I can only compare my condition from yesterday.”
While Thailand are still relatively strong in singles, with Supanida Katethong, Pornpawee Chochuwong and Busanan Ongbamrungphan, there was a blow in second doubles, with Benyapa Aimsaard’s unavailability. Intanon acknowledged it would be hard for the team to make an impact.
“Our team is not very strong. Women’s singles is okay, but doubles is a problem because we lost a pair to injury. So we have to get points from women’s singles. In doubles it’s 50-50. Whoever I play will be the top ones, so I can learn and handle pressure every day.”
As for herself, the Olympics is the immediate milestone, but she doesn’t want to set a time limit.
“Sometimes I feel I’m stable. I don’t want to expect too much of myself, because if I expect too much I always lose. So I have to find my balance. I will just continue to find my gap.
“I will still play. I don’t know how long … but I will go year by year. I will do my best in every game, and maybe I will have chance to play at the next Olympics. Maybe. If my condition is still good.”
Thailand begin their Uber Cup campaign with a Group B tie against Australia tomorrow.