by By Milly McEvoy in Birmingham
Jonatan Christie is aware that he has something to lose after bringing his Yonex all England Open Badminton Championships title defense to a winning start.
The Indonesian struck his compatriot Anthony Sinisuka in the final of the 2024 tournament to emphatically end a barren run.
Now he arrives with the trophy in his possession in all England and as the man that everyone wants to beat in the men.
“It is a very prestigious tournament and every player wants to be the champion here,” said Christie. “If you have the title, you may have everything.
“I’m so happy that I have the opportunity to be the champion. Being the champion is very different from last year.
“I didn’t come here with anything last year. In the first four tournaments of last year I lost in the first round and in the second round.
“I am nothing to lose, I pushed myself 100%, but this year is really different.”
Christie, the Champion, has also not only arrived in Birmingham in Birmingham.
He reached the semi-finals of the Yonex Sunrise India Open in January before visiting his home tournament, the Daihatsu Indonesia Masters.
There he lost in three games against Kunlavut Vitidsarn from Thailand, whereby No. 5 was in action in the men’s singles on Wednesday.
Christie started the defense of his title against Leong Jun Hao from Malaysia.
After a comfortable opening game, Christie had to fight to wrap the match in two games. He finally did so and triumph 21-11 21-19 to reach the second round.
Although he was pleased to assert, Christie was aware that he had things to work when he wants to follow Lee Chong Wei as the last player who defended his men’s individual title and did this in 2011.
Christie added: “I am very grateful to be here and play again in all England and to defend my title this year.
“It’s not easy, but today I think I did it very well, but on the second set I had three or four mistakes, so I have to learn from it for my next game.
“In the second set, Leong played a different style than the first set, it was more active and made very few mistakes.
“So it wasn’t easy to play against him, but I think I can still improve in my focus.
“I only focus on making match by match and who I have to play, and that’s it.”
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