Gumayusi on T1's recent struggles: "I actually think it's not natural to keep the pace for defending champions"

"For me, I don't really care about what the meta is right now."

Come Worlds, come time for T1 to step on the gas. While the team secured their spot at Worlds 2024 at the very last moment, T1 are always a contender on the biggest stage.

Only a couple days before their opening game against Top Esports, Gumayusi spoke to Strafe Esports during an exclusive interview. In it, Gumayusi discusses his high regard for TES, his thoughts on the meta and how he feels about T1's recent struggles.

[Interviewer] Most people would say you got a very tough opening matchup compared to the rest of the LCK teams at worlds. Are you confident in your ability to take on JackeyLove and Meiko, two former World Champions?

"They may have won Worlds in the past, but we won it last year haha. I actually think TES is a very strong team, and I'm excited about our games. But I'm confident in our ability to defeat them, for sure."

[Interviewer] I want to ask, what are your thoughts on the current bot lane meta? Is it something you and Keria feel more comfortable on compared to the rest of the year?

"So, in my opinion, the meta, even in the same patch, can be changing and can go any way as the tournament progresses. So I think it's quite difficult to say what the current bot lane meta is right now. But I do think it's quite similar to the meta in summer. For me, I don't really care about what the meta is right now."

[Interviewer] This year we’ve had some incredible AD carries like Ruler and Deft be left out of Worlds. Do you think competition in professional league of legends is tougher than ever before?

"I cannot quite define how long we go up the past. But if you talk of the past, I didn't play at that time, so I think it's hard to tell. But, in general, I do think, you know, time passes, time changes. So it (the level of competition) could change at any time."

[Interviewer] Despite being the reigning world champions, T1 struggled towards the end of Summer. Why do you think the team failed to maintain your form?

"I actually think it's not natural to keep the pace for defending champions, to keep the pace the year after. And I also think that this year we had some accomplishments as well. We tried our best, so, I think we still have no regrets regarding our past."

[Interviewer] Can you talk to me a bit about what steps have you been taking as a team to get back to your peak for Worlds?

"I think what we really needed was a bit of a rest. So I think we'll rest a little bit, get refreshed and come here to Worlds at Berlin ready to try out best as a team."

[Interviewer] We've talked about how the team has struggled recently, but in the end, T1 always finds a way to perform at Worlds. So, I guess my question for you would be, who do you expect to face in the finals this time around? 

*After taking a very long time to think about the question, Gumayusi had a big smile on his face as he delivered his short and, frankly, surprising answer. 

"TES."

[Interviewer] Haha, so Top Esports will be your first and also your last opponents at Worlds. Do you have any message for TES before your opening match?

"Well, we are the most recent World Champions. So, we're gonna do better and play our best."

Having reached two grand finals in a row, Gumayusi knows that T1 is always a contender at Worlds (Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)

For the latest League of Legends news, follow Strafe Esports. To follow everything on Worlds 2024, check out our full guide. Also, follow the Strafe YouTube channel for exclusive interviews with players and coaches.

Image source: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

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