[Saba Sports News] According to Chinese media reports, following his withdrawal from the Thailand Open in May due to physical discomfort, Shi Yuqi is now undergoing a short break and physical and mental adjustment, with his core goal to build up strength and prepare for the upcoming Japan Badminton Super 750 tournament. Prior to this, Shi Yuqi competed through the Thomas Cup while unwell. He then regrettably pulled out before the semi-finals of the Thailand Open as a result of extreme fatigue and health issues, leaving him in urgent need of restoring his physical fitness and competitive form. It is reported that during this break, Shi Yuqi is making targeted adjustments to his tactical details, physical reserves and competitive mindset to cope with the high-intensity matches ahead. The back-to-back packed tournament schedule poses a grueling test of physical limits for athletes like Shi Yuqi. His signature shifting-speed attacking playing style, a cornerstone of his technical arsenal, places extremely high demands on physical function. Behind his flawless winning record at the Thomas Cup despite fighting illness lay a severe depletion of his physical reserves.
The editor believes that the current BWF World Tour system leaves players with barely any rest all year round. Under the regulations, singles players ranked within the top 15 and doubles players ranked within the top 10 are required to compete in 12 to 13 World Tour events each year, not counting major championships and team tournaments. Such a jam-packed competition calendar poses an enormous test for any athlete.