BADMINTON EUROPE: Matthew, congratulation to your first international senior title. Happy with the achievement?
Matthew Nottingham: Yeah, me and Chris are very happy with our first International Win and we hope there are many more to come in the future! Furthermore me and Chris were very happy with the way we played throughout the whole tournament coming across some very tricky and good opponents!

We looked at the draw at the start of the tournament and we knew there was no one that we couldn’t beat in the tournament but there we a few pairs in there that we had to watch carefully.

BADMINTON EUROPE: After you became European Junior Champion in April this year, what changed in your (badminton) life?
Nottingham: After Europeans, I had finished my College and I had to decide if I want to make a career out of playing badminton, full time, or go to University and play whilst I was at University. I have actually decided to go full time because I want to be the best that i can be at badminton and there is no point in playing half-heartedly so I thought I would go for the badminton career instead of studying!

BADMINTON EUROPE: With Anthony Clark and soon Nathan Robertson, two giants of English badminton will or have retired. Are you ready to follow into their footsteps?
Nottingham: Yeah, I am ready to follow them and get to the top of the game! When they do retire they will leave a gap in England for a few players to step up and show that they can be the best as well. I would like to be one of those players but there are also other top players in England that are already up there as well so it will be very tough but I am ready to compete.

Thanks for the interview!

Photo (1) by Mark Phelan