English mixed doubles pair Greg and Jenny Mairs have decided to stop their career in international tournaments, announcing yesterday on their popular YouTube channel, Badminton Insight, that this week’s YONEX All England will be their last in their competitive international career.
As we prepare for an exciting week in Birmingham, where the YONEX All England kicks off tomorrow, the world’s top badminton players are gearing up to deliver their best performances at the Utilita Arena. Among them are Greg and Jenny Mairs, who shared with their 587K subscribers on Badminton Insight that this Super 1000 event will be their last on the international stage.
In their announcement video, the pair reflected on both the struggles and triumphs of their career. Balancing part-time jobs alongside training and tournaments, all while building their YouTube platform, was not easy. However, they also celebrate their many accomplishments, far from just a few – winning nine international titles, defeating world-class opponents, and representing England on many occasions.
Their career has been filled with moments to look back on with pride. “To be honest, we’ve achieved more than we ever thought we could,” Greg admitted in the video.
Currently ranked 42nd in the world, with a career-high ranking of 28 in 2023, Greg and Jenny have experienced ups and downs. Resilience, they say, has been one of the biggest lessons that badminton has taught them. They recalled competing in 36 International Challenge tournaments before finally securing their first title.
One of the main reasons behind their decision to step away from international competition is the demanding schedule of training and tournaments, which has always taken priority over content creation. Now, they want to focus more on helping others improve their badminton skills. They believe that through Badminton Insight, they can reach more people, make a bigger impact, and contribute to the growth of the sport they love.
So, what comes next? The pair are excited about the future. They plan to continue training on a daily basis while finally bringing to life many ideas they’ve had over the years but never had the time to work on. They look forward to developing Badminton Insight further with more videos and more coaching and training events.
Before saying goodbye to the international scene, Greg and Jenny will take to the court one last time at the YONEX All England, where they face Japan’s eighth-seeded duo, Hiroki Midorikawa and Natsu Saito, in the first round. This week will be an incredible farewell on one of badminton’s biggest stages, for a pair that has given so much to the sport.