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[ Robertson ] [ Kellogg ] [ Clark ] [ Cann ] [ Ouseph ]
Is this Kellogg's last?
by Richard Eaton
Donna Kellogg is so adept at winning tight matches, it's hard to
believe that she describes her most embarrassing moments as
having come from sleepwalking into tricky situations.
It is even harder to believe that, for the most successful
active woman in the English national championships - with seven
titles so far - it could be her last year. She is certainly
considering whether it is her last as a full-time pro.
Despite this, Kellogg remains so keen to win national titles
that she is embarking on a one-off partnership with Suzanne Rayappan to try to win the women's doubles a third time in a
row.
 “The partnerships all changing round, and when Suzanne asked me
to play I jumped at the chance,” said Kellogg, who had won the
title three times with Gail Emms and once with Tracey Hallam –
who retired within three months of each other.
“I would really like to have a go at retaining my title,” she
repeated, but emphasised that she has no plans to continuing
with women's doubles on the world circuit.
Was that personal circumstances, or the physical stress of
competing in two events? “A little bit of both,” she answered.
“They sometimes say that doubles are not as physically demanding
as singles. But women's doubles is improving all the time.
 “If you see how strong women's doubles are and long the rallies
are – because they don't have the power of the men – you see you
have to be extremely fit. You have to put in hours on the court.
“I had successful partnerships with Jo Goode and Gail Emms. I
thought about starting another partnership after being so
successful.....” She paused, thought, and added: ”I didn't think
it was the right time in my career to start another.”
So how true was this talk that she had taken a long time to get
back into training after the Olympics, and that even now she was
considering whether she will continue?
“After each major championship I will take advice on the way my
life should go,” Kellogg replied. “My main focus is the world
championships in India, as well as the All-England. They are my
two main goals.”
Had she really considered retirement? “At my time of career, it
is something you do think about,” she admitted. “With Gail Emms
retiring and a number of other close friends retiring, it's
something which crossed my mind. But I have definitely turned a
corner and enjoy playing again, and I will re-assess again
later.”
Despite the doubts, she and Anthony Clark are capable of playing better
than ever at the age of 31, because fitness training is much
more scientific and player specific, and because their
experience and ability is vast.
“We have been in every situation on the court, and we can deal
with it better than any other players. If we keep fit and
healthy, we can still keep challenging,” she agreed.
“But it could be quite difficult because it's a 12-month sport.
Other sports have an off-season. But in badminton there is
always another tournament a few weeks away. So we are very
desperate to get a schedule which suits us.”
They have also been professionals for 12 years, a long time,
which means the body can sometimes respond in unexpected ways.
But her mind seems as keen on the nationals as ever.
“We will be relaxed at the nationals. Having been in a number of
finals will help – if we get that far. We should be more relaxed
than the others who have not had the same experience.”
She and Clark are clear favourites for the mixed. The women's
doubles will carry more uncertainty - though there should be a
light-hearted side to her partnership with Rayappan, who
describes herself as “a self-confessed control freak, a
perfectionist, a serial mickey taker, and warning - grumpy
without food!”
They may well form a strong combination too, for Rayappan is a
former Portuguese Open women's doubles champion, but there could
be a none-too-easy semi-final against Sarah Hardaker and Jo
Nicholas, two former England players.
Their predicted final is against Jenny Wallwork and Gabby White,
England’s number one pair for the European team championship,
who are likely to face Mariana Agathangelou and Sarah Bok, also
two of England's most promising young players, in the
semi-finals.
If these matches are close, much of it will be about psychology.
“When I was younger I didn't always deliver,” Kellogg recalls.
“But maybe now I am a little more relaxed. I don't get nervous,
and I know how to relax in those situations.
“I try to stay very relaxed even if it's tough, block out the
crowd, and not worry about anything else around me. It's about
when to take a chance and when not to take a chance.”
It's easier said than done. But Kellogg is good at both.
[ Robertson ] [ Kellogg ] [ Clark ] [ Cann ] [ Ouseph ] |
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