Ratchanok Intanon thanked herself for not giving up after the Thai star set the record for staying in the top 10 world rankings for the most weeks.
In total, the 31-year-old women's singles shuttler has now spent 614 weeks in the BWF World Rankings, surpassing many top names in the game including Chinese greats Lin Dan and Chen Long, as well as Denmark's two-time Olympic gold medalist Viktor Axelsen and Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei.
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"Every time I wake up, I thank my body. For allowing me to open my eyes, to never give up and allowing me to pursue my dreams," she said.
For context, the current world number seven has now spent 100 more weeks in the top 10 compared to Lee who retired back in 2019.
The Penangite is still ranked fifth in the top 10 ranking, surpassing the likes of active shuttlers such as Axelsen and Chinese Taipei's Chou Tien-chen.
But nobody is able to challenge the record of Intanon, who has now achieved another impressive milestone.
Back in 2013, Intanon became the youngest women's singles world champion, and before that she was the first player to win the BWF World Junior Championships three consecutive times (2009-2011).
Intanon currently hold a career 68.5% win ratio, having won 312 of her 578 women's singles matches played so far.
Still going strong in her 13th year on the professional circuit, Intanon's best result this year is reaching the India Open semi-finals.
