Having previously shown reluctance to share her retirement plans, Ratchanok Intanon chose an opportune moment to confirm she intends to hang around the badminton circuit for another two years at least.

The disclosure came at LI-NING Hong Kong Open 2024, fittingly after she upended Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, the opponent who halted her progress in the Olympic Games quarterfinals last month.

“Almost half my life has been about badminton. Now I want to try and enjoy what’s left of my career,” started the 29-year-old after her 21-12 15-21 21-10 win, which sent her into a Super 500 last eight for the first time since the Indonesia Masters in January.

“I don’t have high targets. I try two more years for the Asian Games (in Nagoya, Japan). I want to keep healthy, and not put pressure on myself anymore. I want to smile in every situation, even when results don’t go my way.”

Intanon also revealed she had been focusing on muscle growth to help address her left ankle problem, which hampered her form and confidence. It was an alternative to going under the knife.

“It’s like a circle, I had to give a walkover (to Goh Jin Wei) last year at this tournament. I feel like I’m better physically not only compared to then, but also the beginning of this year,” said the 2013 world champion.

“That’s because my body has got bigger as I’ve been doing more weight training to put on muscles. It might make me look fat but I have more power. I need a strong ankle with my playing style.

“The decision not to have surgery delayed the recovery but it was the right call.”

Intanon, who plays Japanese youngster Tomoka Miyazaki next, is joined in the quarterfinals by compatriots Busanan Ongbamrungphan and Pornpawee Chochuwong. Both won in straight games, respectively against Yeo Jia Min and Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi.

For the record, Sujitra Ekmongkolpaisarn remains the only Thai to win women’s singles at this event. Her triumph came in 2001.

→ Results (Day 3)

→ Order of play (Quarterfinals)

WHAT OTHERS SAID

“Christo’s a tough opponent, he was in the All England semis so I’m happy to beat him. This is only my second quarterfinals on the World Tour. I hope my best here is still to come.” – Jason Gunawan

“We will try our best. We won’t let them down.” – Tan Ning responding to Chen Qing Chen’s prediction she and Liu Sheng Shu could be gold medal contenders at LA 2028

“Goh (Sze Fei) controlled the front and I ended up lifting a lot and (Nur) Izzuddin took advantage with his hard smashes. Once we reversed it, we were superior in terms of focus.” – Muhammad Shohibul Fikri after he and Daniel Marthin beat the fifth seeds 16-21 21-19 21-13

“The end was about who was willing to be more aggressive. Maybe I was a bit too safe during the crucial points.” – Leong Jun Hao after losing 21-14 15-21 24-22 to Lee Cheuk Yiu