Lin Dan retires: You pulled down the curtain gracefully, says Lee Chong Wei
Tributes started pouring in for badminton legend Lin Dan with arch-rival Lee Chong Wei one of the first ones to wish him on his retirement on Saturday.
In Short
- Lin Dan announced his retirement from badminton on Saturday
- Lin Dan achieved the "Super Grand Slam" at age of 28 by winning all 9 premier titles
- Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei's legendary rivalry saw the Chinese icon winning 28 of the 40 matches
Badminton legend Lin Dan announced his retirement from the sport on Saturday which led to an outpouring of tributes for the superstar Chinese athlete, with his greatest rival Lee Chong Wei being one of the first to wish him on social media.
Lin Dan made the decision to bid adieu to badminton citing his deteriorating physical fitness as the major reason behind him quitting the sport.
The 37-year-old, who won the Olympics singles titles in Beijing in 2008 and the 2012 London Games, has won all the 9 major titles in the sport, including five world championships' gold medals.
"I've dedicated everything to the sport I love. My family, coaches, team mates and fans have accompanied me through many happy times and difficult moments," Chinese media quoted Lin Dan as saying in the retirement announcement.
"Now I'm 37 years old, and my physical fitness and pain no longer allow me to fight side by side with my team mates," Lin added.
Malaysian badminton great Lee Chong Wei, who retired from the sport last year in June due to health reasons, hailed Lin Dan on his glorious career which started when he turned professional in 2001.
"We knew this day would arrive, Heavy moment of our lives; You pulled down the curtain gracefully, You were king where we fought so proudly; Your final wave all four disappear, Within the hush of silent tear. #lindan," Lee Chong Wei tweeted.
We knew this day would arrive,
Heavy moment of our lives;
You pulled down the curtain gracefully,
You were king where we fought so proudly;
Your final wave all four disappear,
Within the hush of silent tear.#lindan pic.twitter.com/gLJdpPTkB9 — Lee Chong Wei (@LeeChongWei) July 4, 2020
Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei's legendary rivalry saw the Chinese icon winning 28 of the 40 matches they he played against the Malaysian stalwart.
Lin and Lee played 22 finals, semi-finals 15 times, including twice in the final of the Olympic Games and World Championships, with Lin winning all the matches. The last time they met was in the 2018 All England Badminton Championship final which Lin won.