Sunday, 22 Dec 2024

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Ben Lane and Sean Vendy Excited to Perform at YONEX All England Open

Ben Lane and Sean Vendy are eagerly anticipating the YONEX All England Open, where they will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of their home crowd once again. The men’s doubles pair will face Malaysia’s Tan Kian Meng and Tan Wee Kiong in their opening match in Birmingham. If they manage to overcome this challenge, they could potentially face Japanese third seeds Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi in the next round.

Last year, Lane and Vendy put up a valiant fight against Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan in the first round, narrowly losing in three intense games. The atmosphere would have been electric at the Utilita Arena had fans been allowed to attend. With spectators back this year, the English duo is excited to demonstrate their abilities.

“I’m very excited,” Lane expresses. “Unlike last year, the fans will be there to support us, which is always disappointing when you’re playing in England and there’s no crowd. This tournament is the only one where we get to play in England, apart from the upcoming Commonwealth Games. Normally, we play in Asia in front of Asian crowds, so having local support gives us an extra boost, especially when you can hear your parents or family and friends cheering you on from the stands.”

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Both Lane and Vendy have been participating in the YONEX All England since they were eight years old. Vendy still considers it a dream come true to compete in his home tournament.

“It’s literally a dream come true,” Vendy exclaims. “Every time it comes around, we get so excited because it’s the only time we get to play in front of our friends and family. It’s a really special experience. I have only good memories of the tournament, having been going for such a long time. With the fans back this year, it’s going to be amazing.”

At the Olympics this past summer, the world no. 18-ranked pair faced tough competition in the “Group of Death” and was eliminated in the group stage. Despite the challenging draw, Lane believes that the experience will benefit them in the long run.

“Simply being there was a bonus for us since we never really expected it,” Lane explains. “We had a tough draw with the eventual winners and the world number ones, but participating in a multisport event like the Olympics provides valuable insights. Normally, you only interact with badminton players, but at the Olympics, you get to meet athletes from various sports, which is fantastic.”

Lane and Vendy have been playing together for years and have developed a deep understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

“Sean and I have played together for so long, we’re good friends off the court, and we know each other inside out,” Lane adds. “This camaraderie has been instrumental in tight situations during matches, as we can rely on each other’s abilities.”

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After a busy end to last year, the duo has had two months of dedicated training and preparation for the upcoming packed schedule starting in March.

In summary, Ben Lane and Sean Vendy are excited to compete in the YONEX All England Open in front of their home crowd. They look forward to showcasing their skills and hope for a successful run in the tournament. The experience gained from the Olympics and their strong partnership will serve as valuable assets to their performance. With dedicated training in recent months, the pair is prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. Don’t miss their thrilling matches at the YONEX All England Open! For more information, visit Carnegiecentre.com.