Source: REUTERS/CHALINEE THIRASUPA
[Saba Sports News] The 2023 Badminton World Tour Finals are set to
commence on December 13. Following the group draw, Shi Yuqi, ranked seventh in
the men’s singles world rankings and known as “China’s No. 1” spoke
to the media in an interview. Shi Yuqi expressed his focus on the competition,
emphasizing the importance of fighting hard. He plans to stay composed during
regular matches, paying attention to crucial moments and goals in order to
strive for positive outcomes on home ground. However, Shi Yuqi has requested
the competition organizers not to play the background music (BGM) titled
“My Surname is Shi” during the tournament. This request stems from
Shi Yuqi’s previous experience during the badminton finals at the Hangzhou
Asian Games, where the BGM was played after he scored. This had some impact on
his performance, and he ultimately lost 0-2 to Li Shifeng, a young player born
after 2000, resulting in a missed opportunity for the Asian Games gold medal.
During the welcome dinner held on December 11, Shi Yuqi attended the event
dressed in British-style casual attire, showcasing a departure from his serious
on-court demeanor. Fans playfully teased him for appearing as if he had just
returned from planting rice seedlings due to his combination of a suit jacket
and three-quarter-length trousers. In response, Shi Yuqi revealed that his
ensemble was inspired by a catwalk model at Milan Fashion Week, even though he
admitted to not fully understanding the concept of high-end fashion.