When did you decide to play double?

[ray]

Hi Jonas,

1. When did you decide to play double and why?

[JR]

I decided to play doubles at the age of 16-17 because I played all three categories at this time I got injured in my back and had to decide!!

At juniorlevel I was rising in the doubles, both mens and mixed, and the choice was pretty simple!!

I advice players to decide which category you want to play at an early stage, because there is a big difference between the training methods and what is needed in singles and doubles!!

Jonas

[TDotSmAsHer]

Interesting....

What was the injury? So you could still play doubles with this injury, just not singles?? Or are you saying that because you played all 3 you got injured and thats why you had to decide..?

Oh yes, can you give some examples? How different doubles vs. singles training is?

[JR]

I had to choose between playing doubles or singles and I chose doubles!!

It`s too hard playing all three categories and my back(lower part) didn`t make it better!! I was getting better in mixed when I returned from my injury and the choise was pretty simple from there!!

Jonas

[Cheung]

JR,

I heard a comment on chinese TV that juniors are trained in singles first, then later specialise in doubles.

Do you tend to agree or disagree with this method or do you propose doubles from the outset?

[JR]

I think it´s a good idea to choose early because the way you singles are a lot different from the way you´re training doubles. I think that the reason why the players are trained in singles is that it´s more prestigious to play singles but I confront this way of thinking because I find it just as much prestigious to play mens doubles and I think that some of the medias are focusing too much on the singles.

The quality of mens doubles are on the rising, don´t you think??

Kind Regards

Jonas

[Cheung]

Originally posted by JR
The quality of mens doubles are on the rising, don´t you think??

haha, how should I reply to that question?

I think that is difficult to answer. Look back 3-4 years ago, the top pairs 'seemed to be' more consistent. Only Kim and Ha combination have maintained consistency

Of the present top ten list. The striking newcomers are yourself and Anthony Clark. One problem we have had with judging recent 'quality' has been the experiment with the 7point game system. With 15 points we could see more rallies and variation that was less possible with 7 points. I haven't been able to see enough 15 point games recently to give an opinion on quality.

But for sure it is more unpredictable than before.