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Departing Taufik wants to take time with family
After his 15-21, 21-12, 21-17 defeat to unseeded B
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fter his 15-21, 21-12, 21-17 defeat to unseeded B. Sai Praneeth of India during the first round of the Djarum Indonesia Open Super Series Premier late on Wednesday, Taufik officially bid farewell to badminton, a sport that he had played for 25 years.
'I'd like to thank all the people who have supported me in my badminton career. Today is my last day. It was not a good ending, but I hope you can judge me on all the games of my career,' he told reporters.
Taufik, who was accompanied by his wife, Ami Gumelar and their children during the press conference, seemed relaxed and was joking around with a bunch of journalists at the media center of the tournament at Istora Senayan.
'I do feel disappointed, but winning and losing is part of the game. Every athlete has experienced that. The hardest part is that I have to quit badminton,' said the 2004 Olympic gold medalist and 2005 world champion.
He said he would continue his involvement in badminton, a sport in which he gained global recognition as a world-class player.
He currently manages Taufik Hidayat Arena badminton center, located in Ciracas, East Jakarta, opened late last year.
'But, first I will take some time off to refresh and have a holiday with my family before I go back to
badminton,' said the father of two.
He recalled that the turning point of his life happened when he was 14, when his parents asked him to choose between badminton and school.
'My parents told me either I choose badminton or school has to make the best of me'.
Even though he went through good and bad times and was later described as a bad-tempered, controversial athlete, he said he was proud he could compensate for it with his achievements.
He was among those who claimed the Indonesia Open, Asian Championship and Asian Games titles.
'I hope young athletes can imitate my good side only, not the bad side,' he said.
Commenting on Indonesia's current badminton condition, Taufik said the organizing committee of the Indonesia Badminton Association (PBSI) had started to improve athletes' welfare.
'Now, it's a matter of how the athletes can improve themselves and use the available facilities to fulfill their ambitions'.
He warned all young athletes that the biggest opponent of all was themselves.
'The toughest opponent on court may appear daunting, but the real opponent [against laziness, diffidence] is ourselves', he said.
