The regular sparring sessions with world No 5 Lee Zii Jia have given veteran Liew Daren the confidence that he can remain relevant for a few more years.
Daren, 35, recently extended his contract with sports equipment brand Kumpoo until 2024 and has set his sights on returning to the top 20 of the men's singles world rankings by the end of this year.
As Malaysia's second-highest ranked shuttler, the world No 28 believes he can still compete at the highest level, thanks to the training sessions with Zii Jia. Daren, who was ranked world No 10 in 2013, has been sparring with the national No 1 since February.
"Coming up against the current crop of youngsters, I have to be tactically spot on.
"Speed and fitness-wise, I probably can't match them, but with experience, I believe I have the upper hand.
"Since I joined Zii Jia's team, I have benefited a lot. We have an entire support service team that include a physiotherapist, physical trainer and coach.
"Not to mention all the sparring with Zii Jia, I also get a feel of how to play against younger players because Zii Jia is right up there among the best in the world.
"If I can play consistently, I hope to return to the top 20 this year," said Daren, who will play China's world No 26 Lu Guang Zu in the first round of the Indonesia Masters next week.
Should he clear the first round, the Kuala Lumpur-born will likely face world No 3 Anders Antonsen of Denmark in the second. Also in the bottom half of the draw are reigning world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore, Taiwan's Chou Tien Chen and India's Lakshya Sen.
Daren and Zii Jia, as well as Soong Joo Ven, who will play in the qualifying round on Tuesday, are Malaysia's only representatives in the men's singles event.
Daren's best result this year was the semi-finals of the Thailand Open last month, where he lost in three games to eventual champion Zii Jia.
The 2018 World Championships bronze medallist also confirmed that he will compete in next week's Indonesia Open, Malaysia Open (June 28-July 3) and Malaysia Masters (July 5-10).