Jakarta.  Men’s double badminton pair Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan --also known by their nickname “The Daddies”-- recently said that the 2024 Indonesia Open could be the last time that the veterans played at the international badminton tournament.

The Daddies had lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang in the second round of the 2024 Indonesia Open on Thursday.

“Perhaps this is [our last Indonesia Open], but maybe not,” Hendra told the press not long after the match.

Hendra, who will turn 40 this August, has been dropping some hints about a possible retirement.

At the 2023 BWF World Championship, Hendra said that it was about time that the younger Indonesian players took over their role. Also at the 2024 All England, Hendra said that the time would come when he had to retire. Until the 2024 Indonesia Open, Hendra/Ahsan is still playing at top competitions. Their juniors --Marcus Fernaldi Gideon/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo-- had even quit playing before them.

According to Hendra, The Daddies are indeed getting closer to the end. Hendra, who became a gold medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, could only wish to end the year on a high note.

“We were aiming to make it to the Olympics, but we could not. Now, we are focusing on the games until the end of the year. I hope we can make it to the Top 10 by this year’s end. The closest match is the Australian Open, we will see from there,” Hendra said.

Hendra also commented on Indonesia’s chances of winning at the 2024 Paris Olympics, saying that he hoped his juniors could carry on Indonesia’s gold medal tradition. Hendra himself had played at the Olympics four times. His first Olympics match was in 2008 during which he teamed up with the late Markis Kido. Hendra then partnered with Ahsan in the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Olympics.

“Anything can happen. Of course, we [Indonesia] can get a gold medal at the Olympics,” Hendra said.

Earlier that day, Hendra/Ahsan lost to Wei Keng/Wang Chang (21-17, 20-22, 18-21). Ahsan even threw his racket in the audience’s direction after losing. Ahsan could not give a press statement as he had to get treated for his injury. Hendra said that Ahsan’s injury affected the game and hence, their defeat. 

“Of course, we are annoyed because we lost. We had a strong lead,” Hendra told reporters.

Hendra is now hoping that his juniors Bagas Maulana/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri, can continue Indonesia's efforts to win the title in the men's doubles discipline at the 2024 Indonesia Open. Bagas/Fikri had defeated France’s Christo Popov/Toma Junior Popov in the second round with a score of 21-11. 21-17. They will face the Danish pair Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen in the quarter-finals on Friday.

“We [Indonesia] can still win the Men’s Doubles. I hope Bagas/Fikri can make it to the finals. It is time for them too,” Hendra said.

Indonesia also still has Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani who had also beat Taiwan's Lee Yang/Wang Chi-Lin in the second round (21-11, 21-18). Sabar/Reza will face Taiwanese pair Lee Jhe-Huei/Yang Po-Hsuan in the quarter-final.

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