New Delhi: Lin Dan was gifted with pace, deception and a blistering attack. Lee Chong Wei had exceptional movement and defence, Chen Long built his game around counter-attack, while the tall Viktor Axelsen combined power with remarkable retrieving skills. These players brought distinct styles to the court and imposed their game on world badminton. They kept coming back at their opponents, again and again.
Because of their amazing consistency, they achieved great things on the court.
Lin Dan’s racquet moved like a whip, but he could change the pace of rallies in no time, deceiving opponents with a flick of his wrist. A master at changing the shuttle’s direction, an opponent would never know which part of the court to cover until the shuttle landed. But before Lin Dan, Taufiq Hidayat had shown how pleasing deception and power could look when combined with such ease. The men’s singles scene is fast evolving. A new generation is catching up. Canada’s Victor Lai and India’s Ayush Shetty belong to the new breed.
The 2004 Athens Olympic champion’s effortless style made a lasting impression on the sport. Loh Kean Yew won the world title in 2021, Axelsen in 2022, Kunlavut Vitidsarn in 2023 and Shi in 2025. Garret Tan, only 18, exhibited an explosive game, hitting powerful smashes from difficult angles to knock out home favourite Lakshya.
Because of his all-round skills and disciplined game, many regard Lin Dan as a complete player. On Wednesday, there was another fresh face on the court.
