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Emma Karlsson: We believe in what we are doing
Date: 7/1/2020 2:24 PM
Published by : BEC staff

After a stellar 2019, reaching five tournament finals, Sweden’s top women’s doubles star, Emma Karlsson, takes some time to reflect on her career. 


Karlsson, 21, won the 2017 European Junior Championships in Mulhouse, France. The gold medalists from that year have begun to stamp their mark as some of the biggest talents in Europe, and Karlsson still feels she is riding on this wave. 


-I think this status was justified after we won it of course, but I still think we are young and are some of the talents in Europe.


After several years now on the circuit with partner Johanna Magnussen, and three titles to her name in the Swedish Open and two Norwegian Internationals (women’s and mixed doubles), Karlsson states if she is now comfortable on the circuit. 


-Yes, I am, we have now been playing some years at the European circuit and have proved that we can play at a high level and compete with some of the best.


Naturally, being a competitive athlete, there is always the drive to reach the top. Discussing what it is needed to take the next step, Karlsson says. 


- I think the next step for us is to improve more so that we can beat some of the better pairs. Not only compete with them, without actually showing that we can beat them.


Read: Marin wants to be the best woman ever


We can make it to the world’s top


The highest level of tournament is the BWF World Tour where many of the tournaments are held in Asia. Asking why we do not see the Swedes travel to these events very much, Karlsson explains. 


- The level at the European circuit is a good level for us at the moment. Right now, we need the matches and we get good matches when we are going further in the tournaments. If we go to Asia there is a bigger risk to go out in the first or second round.


How far this pair can go is really in their hands. Talking about their main ambitions and targets, Karlsson, who is currently at 37 in the world, states. 


-The ambition for us is to win some tournaments and to get into some of the bigger tournament to play tougher pairs. The short-term goal is to reach a higher place in the world ranking, and I think we can make it to the world’s top. We believe in what we are doing and that is the most important thing for us. 


When winning a European junior gold, there is usually an expectation that that player or pair will eventually win medals at the European Championships. If they do this, they would be the first Swedish women’s doubles pair to medal since Elin Bergblom and Johanna Persson in 2008. Karlsson lays down her belief in achieving this feat. 


- Yes, I do believe that we can win a medal at the European Championships. Like I said earlier we have shown that we can play evenly with some of the top pairs so I see that we can beat them as well. 


Lastly, we have seen Karlsson play mixed doubles with Dane, Mads Emil Christensen, commenting on this, she explains.


First and foremost, I think it is fun and I think it’s good for me so I can develop as a player. For example, to be a better front player and to get a better defence.


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