European Games men’s doubles bronze medallist, Jelle Maas, announces retirement, stating that “this is the end of the story, but the book isn’t finished yet”.
Last year at the European Games in Minsk, Jelle Maas and Robin Tabeling took home the bronze medal for the Netherlands. This was the first medal for the Dutchmen at the games and a repeat of the European Championship bronze medal success a year before in Huelva Spain.
Maas is an accomplished men’s and mixed doubles player with four career title wins. He has also been a reliable cog for the orange machine at team events. Culminating in a bronze medal at the 2019 European Mixed Team Champions in Copenhagen, and a historic silver medal at the European Men’s Team Championships in Liévin earlier this year.
Maas, 29, posting on his Instagram explained his reasons for his retirement.
-I’ve decided that I will not continue my international badminton career. I felt that I was losing my passion and the motivation to push myself every single day. The pandemic pushed me mentally over the edge with the cancellations of different events and the postponement of the Olympic Games.
The next chapter
Maas has thanked everybody for helping him push himself towards his goals and reaching them. Mentioning his coach Ruud Bosch and particularly giving a shout-out to all the players that he has played and trained with. Highlighting his closest teammates by adding.
-First off, Jacco Arends, we grew up together, lived together, worked hard together, we had highs and lows together but always a lot of fun together. The second person is Robin Tabeling. We have reached some amazing results such as the two bronze medals It’s been a great time that I will always cherish.
Maas will keep playing for SC 08 union Ludinghausen this season and states that he will make sure that they are the loudest on court.
He ends his retirement message by thanking the most important people in his life.
-Lastly, I want to thank the most important people in my life, my family. You have been there for me when I was down and also celebrated all the good times with me! I cannot thank you enough.
-On to the next challenge