sonnymak
07-16-2008, 08:54 PM
Funny , me Malaysian writing about Rudy Gunawan?
I hope Indonesian B'Cers can correct what I am going to say about this great Player whom I am surprised is not featured in that ridiculous poll on the best doubles player of all times.
I first heard of Rudy Gunawan in 1988, when he partnered Eddy Hartono as Indonesia's top doubles for the Thomas Cup.
At 22, Rudy G (no relations to Tony G but is the elder sibling of Susi Susanti) and Eddy H was going to be Indonesia's hope of double dominance after Christian hadinata's retirement and the impending departure of Liem, kartono, and Ertanto.
Rudy G has good height, strong legs and great wrist work. But his stamina suspect. Both he and Eddy had great attacking game where Eddy would be at the back with Rudy in front. But Rudy is equally powerful at the back.
Rudy also had a peculiar way of not looking at the shutlle when he serve.
Success did not come Rudy's way early in his partnership with Eddy. With the mercurial Park - Kim, Lyb and Tian and even Razif - Jailani blocked their way to success esp Razif - and Jailani whom Rudy and Eddy often losing to them in many crucial world gran prix finals after pouring machine gun smashes at the Malaysians.
But Rudy and Eddy were all that Indonesia had for a competent Doubles in the top four where they used to dominate.
Their game improved later when Rudy would add a little bit more variety in his game. Instead of all smahes, Rudy developped his soft game in smash blocking and front drops to developped a more balance game. This proved to be effective when they won the All ENgland in 1992 and later got the better of their rivals. Razif- Jailani in TC 92 and LYB-Tian in the Olympics. They won the silver losing to Park-Kim.
Eddy retired after the OG and Rudy partnered the young Bambang Suprianto.
1993, Rexy was injured and Rudy was paired with Ricky as a scratch pair for the World Championship. They met Razif-Jailani in the QF and it was the match of the championship. Bambang with his leaping smashes and Rudy's front court play to the Malaysians smash lifting and counter attack. The game was played over 80 minutes in 3 sets and at last the younger pair of Indonesians won.
They went all the way to the finals and defeated the up Cheah and Soo who was billed to win the world title. That was the crowning glory for Rudy G.
Resuming his partnership with Bambang, Rudy and Bambang won the AE in 1994 and for thenext two years was the top doubles in the world.
But come end of 1995, with Rexy, Ricky, Denny, Kantono, Bambang , Cheah and Yap K H brand of leaping smashes. Rudy's game begin to look like an anachronism of the 80s where he still use 70s style smashing technique.
Rudy and Bambang's day a pair was numbered when they lost to Cheah-Yap in the World Gran Prix finals of 95 and then losing to Soo- Tan kim her in the 96 OG and with RExy Ricky and Denny Kantono, taking over the top, rudy's game lost its sting by end of 96. He retired sometime begining in 1997 and even considered coaching in the Philipines.
Now I heard he is a christian pastor in Indonesia.
Hope I have done justice in my post here on Rudy Gunawan someone rarely heard in BC'ers comments these days.
I hope Indonesian B'Cers can correct what I am going to say about this great Player whom I am surprised is not featured in that ridiculous poll on the best doubles player of all times.
I first heard of Rudy Gunawan in 1988, when he partnered Eddy Hartono as Indonesia's top doubles for the Thomas Cup.
At 22, Rudy G (no relations to Tony G but is the elder sibling of Susi Susanti) and Eddy H was going to be Indonesia's hope of double dominance after Christian hadinata's retirement and the impending departure of Liem, kartono, and Ertanto.
Rudy G has good height, strong legs and great wrist work. But his stamina suspect. Both he and Eddy had great attacking game where Eddy would be at the back with Rudy in front. But Rudy is equally powerful at the back.
Rudy also had a peculiar way of not looking at the shutlle when he serve.
Success did not come Rudy's way early in his partnership with Eddy. With the mercurial Park - Kim, Lyb and Tian and even Razif - Jailani blocked their way to success esp Razif - and Jailani whom Rudy and Eddy often losing to them in many crucial world gran prix finals after pouring machine gun smashes at the Malaysians.
But Rudy and Eddy were all that Indonesia had for a competent Doubles in the top four where they used to dominate.
Their game improved later when Rudy would add a little bit more variety in his game. Instead of all smahes, Rudy developped his soft game in smash blocking and front drops to developped a more balance game. This proved to be effective when they won the All ENgland in 1992 and later got the better of their rivals. Razif- Jailani in TC 92 and LYB-Tian in the Olympics. They won the silver losing to Park-Kim.
Eddy retired after the OG and Rudy partnered the young Bambang Suprianto.
1993, Rexy was injured and Rudy was paired with Ricky as a scratch pair for the World Championship. They met Razif-Jailani in the QF and it was the match of the championship. Bambang with his leaping smashes and Rudy's front court play to the Malaysians smash lifting and counter attack. The game was played over 80 minutes in 3 sets and at last the younger pair of Indonesians won.
They went all the way to the finals and defeated the up Cheah and Soo who was billed to win the world title. That was the crowning glory for Rudy G.
Resuming his partnership with Bambang, Rudy and Bambang won the AE in 1994 and for thenext two years was the top doubles in the world.
But come end of 1995, with Rexy, Ricky, Denny, Kantono, Bambang , Cheah and Yap K H brand of leaping smashes. Rudy's game begin to look like an anachronism of the 80s where he still use 70s style smashing technique.
Rudy and Bambang's day a pair was numbered when they lost to Cheah-Yap in the World Gran Prix finals of 95 and then losing to Soo- Tan kim her in the 96 OG and with RExy Ricky and Denny Kantono, taking over the top, rudy's game lost its sting by end of 96. He retired sometime begining in 1997 and even considered coaching in the Philipines.
Now I heard he is a christian pastor in Indonesia.
Hope I have done justice in my post here on Rudy Gunawan someone rarely heard in BC'ers comments these days.