Bali: Japan’s doubles specialists – Yuta Watanabe admitted that he wasn’t too excited competing at the three back-to-back Asian leg BWF World Tour Tournaments in Bali. He told reporters that this was due to the fact that no audience could see him play directly because of the implementation of a strict bubble system.
Watanabe told Indonesian media that he missed the stadium atmosphere that filled with cheers and chanting from the Indonesian spectators.
“It’s sad, like last year in Jakarta, there was a real festive feel to the tournament. But the atmosphere is different this year,” said Watanabe.
Even though the 2021 Indonesia Masters is being held in Bali, which is known for its world-class tourism, Watanabe could not enjoy it fully because the COVID-19 pandemic has restricted what everyone can do.
“Actually, regardless of where the tournaments are being held, Jakarta or Bali, it’s not too different for now. Because we are still in the pandemic situation, so we can only stay in the hotel and can’t go anywhere,” said the left-handed badminton player.
However, Watanabe admitted that he had planned to visit Bali for a long time, and hoped that one day he could return to Bali not as an athlete but as a tourist to enjoy the charm of Bali, a.k.a the Island of the Gods.
“Actually I really wanted to come here not to compete. This is my first time in Bali, so I want to be able to travel freely in Bali. If I have time, I want to be able to visit here again. But when? Maybe when I retired,” said Watanabe jokingly.
