After spending eight months out of the circuit due to a stress fracture, Setyana Mapasa and partner Gronya Somerville are attempting to rediscover their rhythm in time for the Olympic qualifying season beginning soon.
The Australian women’s doubles duo were in only their fourth tournament together – at the Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open 2019 – since Mapasa’s return in January. Having fallen to Korea’s Jung Kyung Eun/Chang Ye Na, the Australians acknowledged they had work to do to get back to their best.
“We’ve got to play a lot of tournaments, I think we’ve had only four or five under our belt. So we have to play ten quickly to get points and start preparing for the Olympics as best as we can,” said Somerville.
The Australians were in good touch through early 2018, reaching the quarterfinals of the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters, winning the Oceania Championships, and making the semifinals of the Commonwealth Games, before Mapasa sustained the stress fracture in her right shin.
“It was hard, but now it’s good to be back and I’m trying to enjoy the game. I hope to be back in the top 20,” said Mapasa.
“I’m getting back. It feels good this year, I’ve fully recovered, and we are getting better.”
Currently ranked at No.107, Somerville and Mapasa will be seen in action at the TOTAL BWF Sudirman Cup. Australia are in Group 3A with Ireland, New Zealand and Nepal.
“We were in Group 2 last year and in Group 3 this time, so the it is not as competitive, but our team members have dropped in rankings. We’ll still try to win our group and keep our level,” said Somerville.