3 QUESTIONS TO CHRISTO POPOV
Christo, you recently won the Japan Open, notably after eliminating SHI Yu Qi, the 2025 world champion, in the quarterfinals. What did this title get you as an emotion?
"It’s true that this is the first title 750! I think it was very important for me, as well as for the team, to go and get another major title after the World Tour Finals. It’s true that there was this victory at the German Open, a Super 300, then the title at the European Championships. But, going for a 750, that was a rather major result. My journey was quite complicated, with the world number one on the road*, against whom I finally managed to win this time. It’s a result that I add to my list of achievements, but above all it’s the confirmation of my form over the year. I am happy to remain stable in the world top 10 for a year now: there is stability and consistency of which I am quite proud, with major results such as winning Europe, the Finals and now Japan. A few years ago, I would have thought it crazy; today we accept it, and we try to do even better.”
* BWF ranking valid during the interview on August 13
Last year, you reached the final of Yonex IFB against Anders ANTONSEN, it was your very first final on a Super 750. With this edition approaching, in what state of mind are you starting this home appointment?
"It was, honestly, one of the best memories of my career until today! The home final is something incredible. At the time of the World Tour, I think I was the only one to have reached this position. Honestly, an unforgettable experience! Especially the victories! From the first lap to the final where I made a small comeback and with the audience, it was really like being at home, you feel your wings grow and the energy radiated by the audience at that moment, it was a big help. Unfortunately, it ended in a final defeat, close to the 2nd set, a little less in the 1st. It leaves a bit of a bitter taste for this finish where I couldn’t show everything I wanted. But, it’s also the sport, where a final is also played mentally and tactically, where Anders was a class above that day. Now it’s up to me one day, I hope, to get the title of Yonex IFB because it means a lot to me. It’s our competition, at home, and I think it’s one of the most beautiful competitions that exist on the circuit!”
Performing in front of the French public, what does it change for you?
«It makes wings grow. I think we have a French audience that is really one of the best audiences, in all sports, incredible. When we talk about sports events, especially team events and also individual ones like badminton, we have supporters who are above other countries. It makes us want to surpass ourselves, even with a big challenge in front of us. We have to try since we’re on our own, but also to think that we’ll succeed because everyone is behind us.”
The Frenchman will now play tournaments around the world this season, with as a highlight the World Championships in August, before finding his audience at Yonex IFB.
Meet the world’s best players, the event will take place from 20 to 25 October at the Arena Grand Paris in Tremblay-en-France (93).