Listen to the new episode of the BEC Podcast where we chat with Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith.
Currently England’s number one mixed doubles pair, Ellis and Smith, open-up about various topics with us in our latest podcast. Ellis and Smith, the 2019 European Games champions, have had a brilliant few years, briefly entering the world’s top eight.
In the podcast the pair talk about their road to Tokyo, the all-English competition in the mixed doubles, the pride of representing Team GB, rumours of a pairing split, emotions of partnership on and off court, funding in England, plans after Olympics and even a bit on Brexit!
It’s a difficult thing to talk about
Both Ellis and Smith have a mature and honest approach to all thing’s badminton. When talking about what they have achieved as a pair, Ellis says.
-I think when we started out, we didn’t really expect to get to where we are now. I think the main difference now is we have an expectation on ourselves. Which sometimes brings pressure, which is absolutely fine. But sometimes we have to step back and see how far we’ve come in just a couple of years.
A number of tough topics were touched upon in the podcast, be it their personal life, future plans or competition with Chris and Gabby Adcock for an Olympic spot. On the latter, Smith explained.
-It’s quite a big thing. Even the singles players are quite interested, because they can get an extra spot if either of us qualify in two events. I suppose there is interest if there is competition within a country. I think it’s a difficult thing to talk about.
-It is a battle. In an ideal world we will both go if we are both in the top eight. We know we are capable of that.