21-year-old Kristin Kuuba won the two recent Badminton Europe (BEC) Circuit tournaments, which got her up to her best women’s singles ranking so far at no. 7.
Kuuba, from Estonia, was on top of the podiums at Latvia International and Lithuanian International, organized in the two previous weeks.
- I am really happy with winning my first ever tournaments in women’s singles. At two tournaments in a row, I showed great game and I am really enjoying my badminton at the moment, Kuuba told Badminton Europe.
- I feel very confident on the court and my game is wiser than it was before. I think the secret is that I am trying to get the maximum from every training and compared to last year I have improved in every aspect.
New record-high ranking
The former European junior medallist in women’s doubles have been jumping between no. 10, 11, and 12 on the BEC Elite Ranking for the past three months, but the last two title wins has given her the boost to rise all the way to no. 7.
- It feels really great to be in top 10. Actually, I’m not looking that much into these tables, I just play as good as I can and if the ranking is improving as well, then it is really nice to hear that.
With partner Helina Rüütel, she is currently ranked as no. 5 on the BEC Elite Ranking in women’s doubles.
Dreams for the future
Finishing 9th at the 2018 European Championships in Huelva and winning the titles in Lithuania and Latvia has given Kuuba a lot of motivation to work towards her goals.
- You have to dream big, otherwise there is no point to do sport. In sports everybody wants to be the best and so do I.
- I am young and I hope my best years are still coming, but at the moment I am taking it step by step. Every day is a new chance to be better than yesterday, she says.