Thailand’s badminton star says a promise to her late mother is still driving her career as she targets a fifth Olympic appearance in Los Angeles.
The 31-year-old returned to action at the Malaysian Masters after recovering from a knee injury and looked sharp in her straight-games win over Indonesia’s Amartya Pratiwi. Although she admits age, injuries and rising young Thai players make the road tougher, Ratchanok says she is taking things year by year and is not ready to retire.
Ratchanok revealed that her biggest motivation comes from a promise she made to her mother, Kamphan Suwannasara, who passed away shortly after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
A two-time Malaysian Masters champion, the Thai shuttler also shared that competing in Kuala Lumpur feels special because she enjoys strong support there without the intense pressure she faces at home.
