All England: Back From Surgery, Jordan Crosses First Hurdle
Returning to a familiar arena after a career-threatening back problem, Praveen Jordan allowed himself a broad smile. Jordan and Melati Daeva Oktavianti had crossed a tricky first round obstacle, in the form of…
· DEV SUKUMAR
Returning to a familiar arena after a career-threatening back problem, Praveen Jordan allowed himself a broad smile. Jordan and Melati Daeva Oktavianti had crossed a tricky first round obstacle, in the form of compatriots Dejan Ferdinansyah and Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja, emerging winners in three games.
Three years ago this was the stage for their career’s biggest triumph. Since then their career has followed a somewhat uneven path, with more downs than ups, and with Jordan undergoing surgery to his spine last year, the situation appeared dire.
They made their comeback at the Indonesia Masters in January where they lost the opening round; at last week’s YONEX German Open 2023 they lasted until the second. But the All England is different, for Jordan has two titles here, with Debby Susanto in 2016 and Oktavianti in 2020.