Cash-strapped Daren not fretting about rankings

PETALING JAYA: National No. 2 Liew Daren (pic) has no qualms about the prospects of slipping down the world rankings after he opted to skip the Spain Masters next month.

The world No. 33 decided to skip the fourth-tier World Tour tournament in Huelva from May 18-23 as it is way too costly due to Covid-19 protocols imposed.

Giving Spain Masters a miss means he will forgo defending a significant ranking points earned from his brilliant semi-final outing in Barcelona last year.

Daren made it to the last four before his gallant run was ended by eventual champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.

Daren could have also easily made the cut for Indian Open from May 11-16 but he preferred not to enter too.

“It probably will affect his ranking (for not going to Spain) but it’s okay. I will try to make up for it when I’m back competing in the Malaysian and Singapore Opens,” said Daren, the 2018 World Championships’ bronze medallist.

“Given the current circumstances, ranking will have to take a back seat for now. The main reason why I skipped both India and Spain was because it’s just too expensive to travel for tournaments.

“Also, it’s a risk travelling amid the pandemic. Be it health or cost, it makes you think twice.”

Despite skipping the coming two events, Daren is still left sweating over the money he has to fork out for both the Malaysia and Singapore stops, which will be conducted under a bubble concept.

“Even competing back home and across the straits (Singapore) feels like we’re in Europe. It would cost players a bomb this time due to the quarantine requirement,” lamented Daren.

“The Malaysian Open need us to enter the bubble at least a week before the tournament commences. We can only stay at the official hotel and it costs US$180 (RM742) a night and no room-sharing is allowed for the first seven days.

“As for Singapore, although the full details have not been furnished yet, I have been told to that the official accommodation could cost US$250 (RM1,030) a night.

“It’s crazy but it is money that we have to raise to play in tournaments as professionals. I just don’t know how we’re going to cope financially as it looks like this is going to go on.”