Kuala lumpur: World No. 1 Shi Yuqi of China has emphasized the necessity of a solid training foundation to navigate the rigorous BWF World Tour schedule. The 29-year-old athlete highlighted the critical role of personal playing style and recovery techniques in managing the physical demands of continuous tournaments.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Yuqi shared insights on the importance of individualized approaches to handling the demanding calendar. He noted that strong support teams, whether for physical therapy or psychological assistance, are essential for players. Yuqi remarked on the need to discover personal methods to adapt to the schedule, acknowledging the universal nature of the challenge faced by all players.

Yuqi showcased his prowess by securing a spot in the semi-finals of the Malaysia Open at Axiata Arena, defeating Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu 21-10, 21-7 in just 31 minutes. This victory marked Yuqi’s ninth triumph out of 14 encounters against the world’s 18th-ranked player.

Despite the decisive win, Yuqi commented on the difficulty of each rally, emphasizing the importance of persistence and patience in waiting for opponents to make errors. Addressing the pressure of defending his title at the Super 1000 event, Yuqi expressed no added pressure, noting the unique challenge each opponent presents.

Yuqi stated, “I don’t really feel that kind of pressure. Although I won the Malaysia Open last year, the opponents were different. Everyone made great progress last year and this year, so I am just focusing on working hard to compete with them. I don’t think of it as defending the title; it’s more about fighting for it again to see if I can win it once more.”

Reflecting on his achievements, Yuqi recalled winning five individual titles last year, including the Malaysia Open, All England, Japan Open, China Open, World Championship, and the Sudirman Cup.