Anthony Sinisuka Ginting finds himself in a new position within the Indonesian Thomas Cup squad, as the team prepares to challenge for the prestigious trophy. Having recovered from recent shoulder and back injuries, Ginting is now the fourth-highest ranked player in the squad, with Jonatan Christie, Alwi Farhan, and Moh. Zaki Ubaidillah having outpaced him in recent months. Ginting’s limited appearances this season—just three tournaments—have left his role in the team open to strategic considerations.
Despite the uncertainty, Ginting is confident in his physical condition. “My condition now is really great. I mean, no injury at all,” he shared. “I need to maintain the body very well, better than before, but for now, for the Thomas Cup, I feel very good.”
While Ginting may be accustomed to playing first or second singles, this year he could be called upon as the third singles player—often a critical role in high-pressure, knockout ties. “The preparation is mainly mental. On court, there’s nothing different. During the previous game and on court, (mental condition) is really important. Because in terms of strokes and everything else, it’s all the same, but the way we think will be different,” Ginting explained. “The preparation is about trying to calm down, and not thinking about it too much. Because if we think about it too much, there will be worry. Instead of overthinking, your response has to come automatically.”
Ginting also highlighted the complexity of team events, where unpredictability is common: “Teammates can founder under pressure; performance can vary from day to day; opponents’ lineups can be unpredictable.” He cited France as a prime example, with the Popov brothers potentially shifting roles between singles and doubles, making tactical preparation less straightforward.
“I do prepare mentally every day. But you shouldn’t overthink. We need to prepare for the worst case too. Like, maybe when we play with France, the third singles could come before the doubles. So we should prepare for the worst case: for instance, France leading 2-0. Because if don’t prepare mentally, we will be in for a shock that day,” Ginting noted.
Indonesia’s squad stands out for its blend of youthful talent and experienced campaigners. Emerging players like Farhan, Ubaidillah, Raymond Indra, and Nikolaus Joaquin are supported by veterans such as Christie, Ginting, and Fajar Alfian. Ginting sees the senior players’ role as crucial in guiding the younger contingent: “Every day we remind the younger players to control their emotions, their expectations, their spirit. Young players tend to keep the fire up, but we need to keep a balance. We need to calm them down. They cannot be too excited.”
As Indonesia aims for Thomas Cup glory, Ginting’s readiness—both physically and mentally—combined with the team’s unique mix of experience and youth, could prove decisive in their quest for the title.
