Beforehand, Marcus, Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo’s partner on Men’s Doubles event, has to be absent from the Indonesia’s Men’s Doubles training session due to common cold. In addition to that, Marcus also had to ask for permission to leave one of the training sessions to accompany his son that is experiencing smallpox.

“The players’ condition before Indonesia Open is on the 70-80 percent level. Except for Sinyo (Marcus Fernaldi Gideon) who has just recovered from illness, he had to take a rest as his son has had just experiencing smallpox and it spread to him,” said Herry Iman Perngadi, the head coach for Men’s Doubles player of PBSI as quoted from Suara.com

“Earlier when we were having the third training Session Sinyo did not join us. It was a precaution to maintain his fitness level. He’s having a bad cold, his son experience smallpox and it spread everyone in the house. So, I think his condition is only on 50-60 percent,” He added.

This condition affects Kevin/Marcus’s preparation before Blibli Indonesia Open 2019 BWF World Tour Super 1000. Nonetheless, Herry claimed that he still believes that Marcus can recover quickly and catch up the missed training sessions before actually playing in the tournament. “He once had smallpox and his son’s smallpox did not really spread to him badly. It was only a cold. If he can catch up with the training program, usually people will recover in just a week,” He said.

Kevin/Marcus is a defending champion of Indonesia Open Men’s Doubles event. On the first round of Blibli Indonesia Open 2019 BWF World Tour Super 1000, The Miniions will play against the Japanese pair, Takuto Inouse/Yuki Kaneko. Inoue/Kaneko was Kevin/Marcus’s opponent during the final match of last year’s Indonesia Open. On that occasion, Kevin/Marcus won the title through a two-set match of 21-13 and 21-16.