Xu Jiawen: A new journey, an unchanging original intention

Playing as an independent player is a new chapter in Xu Jiawen's fourteen-year career, and at the age of thirty-one, she will embark on a new journey with a heart and enthusiasm that has never changed.

What drove her forward?

"I love the sport. If I can still hit me I will continue to persevere. I don't find it difficult to do what I love and I look forward to training every day. Now I'm playing as an independent player and I feel like I'm fighting for myself, which allows me to enjoy the game and not be in the more stressful national team. Of course I'm still working for my country and I'm happy and proud. I will take every game as seriously as I have before, but the responsibilities are different. ”

This is Xu Jiawen's first year of cooperation with Lin Qiuxian, who has previously played well with Ye Zhengwen, Zou Meijun and Wen Kewei in the national team.

Xu Jiawen / Lin Qiuxian began to compete at the Dutch Open in October 2021 and made appearances in the European and Bali seasons, unfortunately the results were not ideal. However, they seem to have a good start in 2022, reaching the quarter-finals at the 2022 India Open and the 2022 Saiyed Modi Challenge.

"It's a whole new combination and we want to make progress in every game and hopefully continue that momentum."

As an independent player, Xu Jiawen's experience is the same as other independent players, she said that there is less pressure, but there is a lot of financial uncertainty.

"I left last January, it's been a year. We had to do everything ourselves, including arranging accommodation, flights etc. Money and sponsors are the most important because we have to have our own budget, which is the hardest part. ”

"We're all discussing together, we can go any game we want to play, there's more space and freedom. Most importantly, have good communication with coaches and partners. ”

Although their best result of the 2021 season was the second round of the Hailu Open and the Indonesia Open, Lin Qiuxian was grateful to have the opportunity to participate in the competition during the period of unbridled epidemic.

"It was definitely a good experience because there are very few opportunities to be able to play so many games in a row. It's a great opportunity for us, so far everything has gone well and we just have to take care of ourselves.

"Our plan is to be in the top twenty-fifth of the world rankings and get on the podium in some of the competitions."