KUALA LUMPUR: Ten years separate world champion Jonas Rasmussen and newcomer Mads Conrad-Petersen of Denmark.
But the vast difference in age is not expected to be a stumbling block in their bid to become an established pair in world badminton this year.
In fact, the duo showed that they have the right chemistry when they nailed their first title in just five months into their partnership – at the Copenhagen Masters last month.
The duo will be taking part in the Malaysia Open and the 33-year-old Rasmussen said that he was looking forward to the challenges of starting all over again.
“After having played for so long, challenges like this keeps one going. It has become exciting all over for me,” said Rasmussen after a training session at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
“I can see myself in Conrad. He is intelligent and mentally very strong. He is a quick learner. It is a good combo.”
Rasmussen added that his goal with Conrad-Petersen was to qualify for the world championships in August and it would be an extra bonus if they make it to the London Olympics next year.
“I have played in every world championship since 1999 and I think it is possible to make the cut again with my younger partner,” he said.
“There have been ups and downs for us over the last five months but we are heading in the right direction.
“We won the Copenhagen Masters, beating the current top pair, Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen. That was important because it showed that we could bring our game to a high level. We hope things will get better for us.”
Conrad-Petersen, who switched from singles to doubles in 2009, is pleasantly surprise that he has clicked with Rasmussen.
“I was the European Under-19 singles champion but I found myself without much motivation after that,” said the towering player, who celebrated his 23rd birthday on Jan 12.
“I took a break for 10 months but I missed the game so much that I came back. And it was then clear to me that the doubles was my calling.
“In the first half of the year (in 2010), I was playing against Jonas. And now, I am the partner to a world and All-England champion. This is really fantastic.
“A year ago, I would not have believed I would to be in this position. Playing with a top class player is all new to me. For instance, I learnt a lot in my first meeting against Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong (at the Hong Kong Open in November).
“I am excited to be here in Malaysia for the first time. Hopefully, consistent performances, starting with the Malaysia Open, will help Jonas and I make the cut for the world championship.”
The Malaysia Open begin with the qualifying tournament tomorrow but the world No. 77th ranked Rasmussen-Conrad-Petersen has a place in the main draw against Indonesians Angga Pratama-Ryan Agung Saputra in the first round on Wednesday.
They are in the same half as top seeds and defending champions Kien Keat-Boon Heong, third seeds Alven Yulianto-Hendra Gunawan of Indonesia, eighth seeds Chen Hung-ling-Lin Yu-lang of Taiwan and two other Malaysian pairs, Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Hoon Thien How and Gan Teik Chai-Tan Bin Shen.
The other half of the draw has second seeds Ko Sung-hyun-Yoo Yeon-seong of South Korea, Chai Biao-Guo Zhengdong of China and Malaysians Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Ong Soon Hock.
Yangyang Rg | Create your badgeBut the vast difference in age is not expected to be a stumbling block in their bid to become an established pair in world badminton this year.
In fact, the duo showed that they have the right chemistry when they nailed their first title in just five months into their partnership – at the Copenhagen Masters last month.
The duo will be taking part in the Malaysia Open and the 33-year-old Rasmussen said that he was looking forward to the challenges of starting all over again.
“After having played for so long, challenges like this keeps one going. It has become exciting all over for me,” said Rasmussen after a training session at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
“I can see myself in Conrad. He is intelligent and mentally very strong. He is a quick learner. It is a good combo.”
Rasmussen added that his goal with Conrad-Petersen was to qualify for the world championships in August and it would be an extra bonus if they make it to the London Olympics next year.
“I have played in every world championship since 1999 and I think it is possible to make the cut again with my younger partner,” he said.
“There have been ups and downs for us over the last five months but we are heading in the right direction.
“We won the Copenhagen Masters, beating the current top pair, Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen. That was important because it showed that we could bring our game to a high level. We hope things will get better for us.”
Conrad-Petersen, who switched from singles to doubles in 2009, is pleasantly surprise that he has clicked with Rasmussen.
“I was the European Under-19 singles champion but I found myself without much motivation after that,” said the towering player, who celebrated his 23rd birthday on Jan 12.
“I took a break for 10 months but I missed the game so much that I came back. And it was then clear to me that the doubles was my calling.
“In the first half of the year (in 2010), I was playing against Jonas. And now, I am the partner to a world and All-England champion. This is really fantastic.
“A year ago, I would not have believed I would to be in this position. Playing with a top class player is all new to me. For instance, I learnt a lot in my first meeting against Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong (at the Hong Kong Open in November).
“I am excited to be here in Malaysia for the first time. Hopefully, consistent performances, starting with the Malaysia Open, will help Jonas and I make the cut for the world championship.”
The Malaysia Open begin with the qualifying tournament tomorrow but the world No. 77th ranked Rasmussen-Conrad-Petersen has a place in the main draw against Indonesians Angga Pratama-Ryan Agung Saputra in the first round on Wednesday.
They are in the same half as top seeds and defending champions Kien Keat-Boon Heong, third seeds Alven Yulianto-Hendra Gunawan of Indonesia, eighth seeds Chen Hung-ling-Lin Yu-lang of Taiwan and two other Malaysian pairs, Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Hoon Thien How and Gan Teik Chai-Tan Bin Shen.
The other half of the draw has second seeds Ko Sung-hyun-Yoo Yeon-seong of South Korea, Chai Biao-Guo Zhengdong of China and Malaysians Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Ong Soon Hock.
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