Ties Van Der Lecq is a 19-year old Dutch men’s and mixed doubles player. Usually he plays on the circuit, but recently he entered the big stage, helping the Dutch team to take a medal at the European Men’s Team Championships in France. 

Even though Van Der Lecq plays both men’s and mixed doubles, there can still be quite some free time in between the matches at tournaments.

- Inbetween matches I spend much time to relax (in bed/shower/working for school). About 45 min before my match I warm-up with my partner and just before the match I like to be quiet and just focus on what I want to do on court. So I don't listen to music, it distracts me, he said. 

Sometimes you meet an opponent that just stands out from everyone else, asking about who that would be, Van Der Lecq said.

- I haven't been impressed by an opponent in a while, I think. The last time I was impressed, was by my own doubles partner, Ruben Jille, in training. I think he has some amazing strokes.

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Highlight and disappointment

Being a badminton player there are both some highlights and some disappointments in the career. Asking for the highlight and biggest disappointment in the young player’s badminton career so far, he answered.

- The highlight of my career so far is definitely the silver medal for the EMTC. It's a very special medal for the team and I feel extra delighted due to winning the deciding matches in the QF and the SF.

- Fortunately, I didn't have to encounter too many disappointments. A few years ago though, I hadn't been selected for the WJC in Indonesia. At that time, it was a huge disappointment. But since then, there were almost no setbacks for me.