Being the son of accomplished badminton-playing parents meant Jack Yu was born into the sport. The son of former Chinese internationals Yu Qi and He Tian Tang (Tang Yongshu) – his mother was an Olympic and World Championships medallist – was first taken to court when he was just a year old.
And so, it wasn’t perhaps a surprise when he tried to get away from it. For a year the Australian youngster stayed away from badminton, before deciding that he’d had enough. At his second international event on his return, the Commonwealth Games, he made the men’s doubles quarterfinals.
Today, the 18-year-old, playing his second World Junior Championships, gave Australia a 2-1 lead over India in Group B before the Indians won 3-2.
Australia’s Jack Yu.
“Last year I took a year off to enjoy my teenage life and then it didn’t go too well, so I decided to come back and continue my passion,” said Jack, whose older sister Angela is also an Australian international. “I never went to the courts at all, the whole year. I didn’t enjoy that too much, because it was the same thing over and over again, and I loved badminton a lot more. I was missing badminton a lot.
“My parents knew I needed a break, because I’ve been around badminton for the last 16 years, so they agreed on me taking a break, but they were always happy in welcoming me back.
”When I got back, physically I wasn’t capable of playing high-intensity badminton, but I really pushed myself, and eventually got my physical (ability) back, and then it was about working on the mental part, which was the hardest process. I’ve gone through a lot more, and it has made my tactical and mindset a lot better.
“I wanted to come back and improve a lot more than what I was before, and see what it was like at the higher level events.”
Jack Yu gave Australia a 2-1 lead over India.
The World Junior Championships is only his fourth tournament since his return this year. Once he’s done with high school, he believes he can pursue a career in badminton.
“I’m in grade 12, I will be graduating this year. I have to then choose my passion. I definitely want to continue this badminton journey. I really enjoy it. On court it makes me feel like I’m totally not aware of my surroundings; I’m so focussed on the game and I love it.
“My parents are both badminton players… I was brought up in that environment, so I love the sport. It was badminton all the time. I was at the badminton hall when I was a year old, with my parents coaching badminton for a living, and I was brought up in that environment. I love the people, I love the sport a lot.”
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