An Se Young, currently the world's top-ranked women's singles badminton player and a member of Samsung Life, expressed both disappointment and determination as she returned to Korea via Incheon International Airport on the 28th, following her failed attempt at achieving the coveted 'Super 1000 Slam'.

After completing the BWF (Badminton World Federation) Super 1000 Japan Open and China Open, An shared her thoughts: "It's disappointing that I wasn't able to finish on a high note, but I'm also happy that I could compete and achieve good results." 

On the 26th, An Se Young faced Han Yue of China in the semifinals of the China Open. Unfortunately, she was forced to withdraw during the second game due to a worsening knee condition. If successful, An would have become the first player ever to claim all four Super 1000 series titles within a single year—a feat still unaccomplished in the sport's history.

The Super 1000 series represents the four most prestigious tournaments on the BWF World Tour, offering the highest ranking points and prize money. No athlete has managed to win them all in a single season.

"There were high expectations from everyone, and of course, from myself as well, so I became even more ambitious," An admitted. "While it's certainly disappointing, I'll prepare thoroughly for my next opportunity."

Addressing her knee injury, An explained, "I've felt ongoing discomfort, and accumulated fatigue led to insufficient management. I took steps to prevent the situation from becoming severe." She added, "Fortunately, unlike during last year's Hangzhou Asian Games, it's not a major injury, so I expect to return quickly."

She went on to mention, "I'll be undergoing additional diagnosis and an MRI in Korea, and will make detailed plans for recovery." 

Despite falling short of the 'Super 1000 Slam', An proved herself once again as the world's top women's singles player, securing six titles this season.

"One of my goals was to be a consistent player, and I'm satisfied that I managed to perform steadily throughout the season," she reflected.

She emphasized, "In times of disappointment, I believe the opportunity to regroup is never wasted. That belief allowed me to recover my mindset quickly," as she set her sights on defending her title at the upcoming World Championships, which will take place in Paris from August 25.

Paris holds special significance for An Se Young, as the city where she captured Olympic gold. This World Championships, therefore, carries added meaning. Last year, An made history as the first Korean woman to win the World Singles Championship title. Now, she aims for a second consecutive championship.

Previously, she commented, "I now care less about results and more about delivering great performances. Looking forward to the process and focusing my training on reaching the top spot in a way that's meaningful to me."

Reviewing her recent matches, An admitted there is still room for improvement, particularly in match tempo and control. She expressed her determination: "I'll work to refine my game to deliver even more complete performances."

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Yonhap News Agency