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ShareOdense: He might not be a celebrity back home in Germany nor is he going to attain stardom after his remarkable performance here at the Denmark Open Super Series. But World No. 30 Marc Zwiebler has no complaints in life. Playing badminton is the biggest prize he has earned.
Prior to this event, Zwiebler -- a decent second-rung player -- hadn't gone beyond the semifinals of even a Grand Prix tournament. What's more, he was nearly immobilised after developing a back problem in 2005. He tweaked a nerve in a match, the injury got worse and he was barely able to move. "It was hard," says Zwiebler, who, until now, was one of badminton's many journeymen.
"As a kid I was always very active and into sport. I'd always been successful as a junior. But after the injury, I had my first free summer, and I didn't know what to do. The first few months I was desperate. I went into a hole. I realised I was going to have to accept the injury, the possibility that I wasn't able to play competitively."
Zwiebler gradually got accustomed to life outside the badminton circuit. But the rest and exercise did him a world of good and he made a comeback in September 2007. It lasted one tournament. After another prolonged break of five months, he returned to the circuit. "I'd worked on my fitness and my back muscles and it was very hard work. But I think studying at the university did me a lot of good. It opened me up to other people and other activities."
With top Chinese players pulling out and the draw opening up, the left-handed Zwiebler sniffed his chance and seized it. He outlasted former Commonwealth Games champion Wong Choong Hann in the first round. He then overturned an impossible situation against the 2003 All England champion Hafiz Hashim from a game and 5-16 down in the second.
In the quarterfinal on Friday against Chen Long, Zwiebler was dismissive, winning in straight games. His heroics are unlikely to make him famous in his football-crazy homeland but Zwiebler is at peace. "When I was unable to play, that's when I realised how much badminton meant to me. When you're a player, you're always complaining about the travel and the training. I have a good life. I've travelled the world, and I've made friends. I can't complain."
Results: Semifinals: Men's Singles: 5-Simon Santoso (Ina) bt 7-Jan O Jorgensen (Den) 21-13 21-13; Marc Zwiebler (Ger) bt 2-Sony Dwi Kuncoro (Ina) 21-10 16-21 21-15; Women's Singles: 1-Wang Yihan (Chn) bt Eriko Hirose (Jpn) 21-13 19-21 21-11; 2-Tine Rasmussen (Den) bt Jie Yao (Ned) 21-18 21-14
