Faced with the reality of insufficient funding and a ranking that sits far away from Olympics qualification, men’s singles shuttler Liew Daren may have to make the biggest decision of his career by hanging up his racquet.
The world number 42 did well to make to the semi-finals of the Spain Masters on Saturday, but was no match for world number five Viktor Axelsen who easily won 21-10, 21-19.
While Axelsen would go on to win the title and get his season on track, Liew was left possibly staring at the end of his career.
"I came to Spain on my own and spent a fortune. It was worthwhile as I made it to the semifinals and I’m quite happy with it.
"But this result isn’t going to make any difference to my Olympic qualification bid as I won’t be playing again until the Singapore Open," Liew told The Star.
The independent shuttler will return home after his Barcelona exploits and will miss the upcoming German Open (March 3-8), All England Championships (March 11-15) and Swiss Open (March 17-22) due to lack of funds.
The stark reality of his lack of funding fully kicked in when he could not register for the Indian Open (March 24-29).
"The official hotels are quite costly. If I opt elsewhere, the food and logistics would be an issue.
"If possible, I would love to see out 2020 but that depends if I could secure enough funds to last me until the end of the year," he added.
Liew's current sponsorship deal with AirAsia ends in March and he is also backed by Protech.
The highlights of the 32-year-old’s career came in 2012 when he won the French Open, and in 2018 when he reached the semi-finals of the World Championships.
Men’s doubles duo of Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik also saw their progress halted in the semi-finals in Spain after they lost to Danish pair Kim Astrup-Anders Rasmussen 16-21, 22-24.
Nicolas Anil
Mon Feb 24 2020
Terbuka India: Zii Jia ke pusingan kedua, Tze Yong, Daren terkandas
Perseorangan lelaki nombor satu negara, Lee Zii Jia, mara ke pusingan kedua Kejohanan Badminton Terbuka India selepas menenewaskan pemain Indonesia, Shesar Hiren Rhustavito, di New Delhi hari ini.
Terbuka Malaysia BWF: Liew Daren ganti tempat Kento Momota
Pemain Jepun, Kento Momota, tidak akan beraksi dalam Terbuka Malaysia tahun ini selepas menarik diri berikutan gejala seakan-akan influenza dan tempatnya akan diambil oleh pemain profesional negara, Liew Daren, daripada senarai simpanan.
Kejohanan Dunia: Liew Daren bakal bertemu Axelsen di pusingan pertama
Undian Kejohanan Badminton Dunia 2022 berlangsung hari ini menyaksikan Liew Daren diberi tugas berat berdepan wakil Denmark, Viktor Axelsen.
Terbuka Malaysia: Liew Daren tersingkir awal
Perjuangan perseorangan profesional negara, Liew Daren berakhir di pusingan pertama saingan Terbuka Malaysia.
BAC: Zii Jia, Daren teruskan kemaraan, Tze Yong terkandas
Lee Zii Jia dan Liew Daren mara ke pusingan kedua Kejohanan Badmintan Asia (BAC) di Manila, Filipina selepas menewaskan lawan masing-masing hari ini.
Zii Jia umum Liew Daren sebagai penolong jurulatih, rakan sepelatih peribadi
Perseorangan profesional negara, Lee Zii Jia, akan turun beraksi dalam kejohanan Badminton Terbuka Jerman bermula Selasa ini dengan pasukan baru.
Kejohanan Dunia BWF: Daren tiada masalah tumbangkan peserta Israel
Perseorangan lelaki profesional negara, Liew Daren, tidak berdepan masalah untuk mara ke pusingan kedua Kejohanan Dunia BWF selepas menewaskan wakil Israel, Misha Zilberman, di Huelva, Sepanyol sebentar tadi.
Daren tiada sesalan sebelum gantung raket
Pandemik COVID-19 bukan sahaja meranapkan impian perseorangan badminton profesional negara, Liew Daren, untuk ke Sukan Olimpik Tokyo, Julai depan, bahkan ia turut membuatkannya semakin hampir dengan persaraan.
Terbuka Thailand: Liew Daren teruskan kemaraan
Perseorangan lelaki profesional negara, Liew Daren, mengesahkan tempat dalam suku akhir Kejohanan Badminton Terbuka Thailand kedua selepas menewaskan lawan dari india, H. S. Prannoy, di Impact Arena, Bangkok sebentar tadi.
Terbuka Thailand: Kian Meng-Pei Jing kandas awal, Daren mara percuma
Beregu campuran negara, Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing, terkandas seawal pusingan pertama dalam Kejohanan Badminton Terbuka Thailand kedua apabila tewas kepada pasangan England, Marcus Ellis-Lauren Smith, di Bangkok hari ini.
Wolves v Arsenal: ‘What we still have to play for is beautiful’ – Arteta
Preview: Wolves v Arsenal
Ending FA Cup replays another example of EFL being ‘marginalised’, says league
All replays from the first round onward are being abolished.
John O’Shea could stay as interim Ireland boss as permanent appointment delayed
Stephen Kenny was relieved of his duties in November.
Tape ball programme can help England find unorthodox talent – Richard Gould
The ECB’s new core cities programme was showcased at an event in Birmingham on Thursday.
Erik ten Hag denies Man Utd squad is fractured after Alejandro Garnacho incident
Garnacho has apologised for liking social media posts that were critical of Erik ten Hag.
We’ll throw everything at title bid – Trent Alexander-Arnold
Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool can secure Premier League crown with perfect finish
Liverpool two points behind leaders Manchester City in the Premier League table with six games remaining.
Mo Hunt wants Grand Slam-chasing England to put on a show at Twickenham
John Mitchell’s side have averaged 47 points game in this year’s Guiness Women’s Six Nations.
Lando Norris takes sprint pole in rain-drenched Shanghai qualifying session
The McLaren driver held off Lewis Hamilton as the conditions affected Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.
Coventry boss Mark Robins: Manchester United are the ‘biggest club in the world’
Erik ten Hag’s side have faced criticism over their performances this season.