English Women’s & Mixed Doubles Champion Jenny Wallwork talks to International Badminton Magazine.
Earliest Sporting Memory:
I played at a local county club with my parents and remember playing Mixed Doubles with my dad aged about 10 years old. My mum played for England and my dad played at a high level so I suppose that’s how also how I got into the game.
Sports Watched:
I know this sounds a bit strange but I don’t actually watch other sports, although I may watch the odd tennis match if the big names are playing like Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer.
Sports Played:
I used to play every sport under the sun when I was younger; hockey, netball, rounders and I had tennis lessons for a while but it was always badminton that stood out for me the most - possibly because of my parents involvement.
Why a life in sport, or if it hadn’t happened, what would you have done instead?
I would definitely have liked to have been involved in sport even though I admit to not watching other sports! I really enjoy travelling and meeting new people, but without a doubt one way or another I would have wanted to be involved in some form of sport.
Toughest part of your sporting life:
The massive sacrifices that you have to make during your career. I’m a real home bird and end up missing family and friends occasions like birthdays and weddings. So not seeing my friends and family as much as I would like is probably the hardest thing for me.
And obviously I hate to lose!
Sporting Heroes:
Again it is a bit like sports watched – I don’t really have any, but we used to train in Sheffield and I saw Kelly Holmes train a lot and had the chance to meet her a couple of times. I think she’s great and someone to look up to and respect as an athlete, especially with her successes at the Olympics.
Favourite venue and why:
The Yonex All England in Birmingham because of the history, prestige and the fact that it’s such a great tournament. Although some players find it more difficult to play at home in front of a home crowd and friends and family, I really enjoy knowing they are there and I like t think that I thrive on having their support.
Sporting event you would pay the most to see:
Again a difficult one for me but maybe something like a big basketball game or something that’s a bit different. There was a big basketball game taking place in the US when I was there last year and although I didn’t get to see it the atmosphere sounded great.
And to miss:
Golf
Question asked most often by the public:
Why do you not get more TV coverage?
And the answer:
I wish I knew – the sad thing is that we probably got more TV coverage from coming home from the World Championships in India last year than we would have had if had won five gold medals.
Greatest change you would like to see in the running of your sport:
I think to get more kids playing and through the system at a younger age. In China you have hundreds of five and six year olds at a level of learning trick shots etc and I would love to see children starting younger and more of that in this country.
Unfortunately, there is such a huge gap between the likes of myself, Nathan and Gail and the next generation coming through.
Sporting motto:
Not really a motto but I have a saying on the wall at home “I don’t train because I like training, I train because I like winning” and I read that every day and think it’s so true.
Who would you most like to invite to dinner and why?
Will Smith – I love everything about him. Since I was very young I have been in love with him or maybe Peter Kay.