For T1, this year’s World Championship (Worlds 2023) is both particularly important and emotionally charged for the players. This is the second Worlds that the current T1 lineup has participated in together. However, just after one year, they are no longer held in high regard. Yet, the players of T1 face another pressure: This could be the last Worlds where this star lineup competes together.
This situation has already been hinted at by Gumayusi at least twice. He is aware that his, Keria’s, and Zeus’s contracts will end in November 2023. Gumayusi himself acknowledged that he wants to win this tournament with the current lineup and emphasized that the results at Worlds 2023 could affect the future of the players. Recently, T1 fans were once again worried when just before the Swiss stage of Worlds 2023, Oner once more emphasized that T1 could disband, even sharing more negative insights compared to Gumayusi’s previous comments.
In a recent interview posted on his personal YouTube channel, Oner shared: “Since playing professionally, we have been together for 3 years. Growing up together, we have achieved many incredible results. But in some way, we have also failed a lot and finished second many times. But if we can win Worlds… Even if we may not be playing together next year, this time will be a beautiful memory. And I want to win Worlds 2023 to end the year perfectly.”
Clearly, there is hesitation in Oner’s comments that fans of T1 can easily recognize. Perhaps, even T1’s jungler is uncertain about whether they will still compete together in 2024, even if they win Worlds. Some express concern that this might create negative psychological effects on the players. However, most reactions are messages of support for the players.
Now more than ever, T1 needs to regain the form that led them to an unbeaten season last year and focus on their journey in Worlds. In 2023, their opponents will be even stronger. But T1 remains a formidable team, and they will surely give their all in what could be the last tournament that this lineup plays together at Worlds.