Leg injury forces Joko to retire from GP Finals

NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Defending champion Joko Suprianto has pulled out of the Lipton World Grand Prix Badminton Finals in Denpasar, Bali, due to injury.

Joko, Indonesia's top singles player, was injured Wednesday during the deciding set in his opening round-robin match against Chen Gang of China. He won the 30-minute-delayed match 11-15, 17- 14, 15-9.

"I think it is my muscles in my right thigh. The doctor has checked my condition and she said that it was my thigh but she could not tell how bad it is," Joko told reporters in his room at the Bali Hilton International yesterday.

Indonesia's team doctor, Dangsina Moeloek, confirmed that the problem is in Joko's thigh.

"I tried to check it by having an x-ray but the equipment is not available in hospitals here. I've got to go back to Jakarta tomorrow or on Saturday," Joko said.

The 30-year-old shuttler said that the situation would have been different if rain water had not leaked through the roof onto the court at the Juana Mandala Stadium.

"I did not slip on the water but I stepped on it going to the net while stretching to retrieve the shuttle," a disgusted Joko said.

"If the court hadn't been wet I'd have been fine even though I'd stretched," he said.

Joko should stay in bed for at least two weeks, according to the doctor. It means he has to bury his dream of winning a portion of the US$350,000 prize money on offer in the tournament.

"This is the best tournament but what else can I do? The most important thing is to recover from the injury. I hope I can practice in a week," he said.

"If I have to rest for two to three weeks, it'll be very hard for me to start next year's season," he added.

Joko said he forced himself to win Wednesday's match.

Coach Triaji said that the injury was bad luck and that nothing else would have prevented Joko from winning the group.

"He is in peak performance. His rivals in the group (Chen, Fung Permadi of Chinese Taipei and Martin Lundgaard Hansen of Denmark) are, on paper, not as strong as Joko. But because of his injury, Joko had to retire.

"It's really bad. He should have had the chance of winning the tournament but again it's his unfortunate luck."

Triaji said Joko has to take a break for two weeks to recover from his injury.

Joko will miss the Sanyo World Cup Badminton Championship in Jakarta next week and the National Championships in Pakanbaru, Riau, in two weeks time. (yan)