Singles rivals cordial on eve of World Championships

Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan were relaxed when taking questions from the press at this afternoon’s pre-World Championship conference but were obviously both keen to get on court to let their racquets do the talking.

By Don Hearn, Badzine Correspondent live in Guangzhou.  Photos: Renee Yang (live) and Badmintonphoto (archives)

The pre-tournament press conference for the Wang Lao Ji BWF World Championships was held before the team managers’ meeting today in Guangzhou.  Badminton World Federation (BWF) Events Director Darren Parks gave the opening statement and pointed out that Guangzhou was completing its Grand Slam of sorts, as it adds the 19^th Worlds to its list of major BWF events already hosted, which includes the 2002 Thomas and Uber Cups and the 2009 Sudirman Cup.

First to meet the press were reigning Olympic Champion Li Xuerui of China and India Open winner Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand.

Li Xuerui, the obvious frontrunner in the race for the women’s singles championship, said that winning was certainly her goal:  “Many people expect me to be the top in China so there is pressure.  It is my first World Championship but I think I’ve been in similar situations in the Open tournaments.”

“Although this is my second time competing in the World Championships, I am still quite nervous,” confessed Ratchanok Intanon, “but it’s okay.  I will just focus on one match at a time.”

Ratchanok recalled that the last time she was at the Worlds, she had lost to Wang Yihan in three games.  In fact, also her last tournament at Tianhe Gymnasium was a three-game loss to Wang Xin in the women’s team final of the 2010 Asian Games, although she has been back to Guangzhou since to play China Super League matches in other venues.

Lin Dan: Maybe a winner’s celebration but no retirement party

There was a ripple of excitement as the ladies left and Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei entered the room and it was 4-time champion Lin who received most of the attention.

“I cherish the opportunity given to me by the BWF wild card,” said Lin Dan.  “I have dedicated the past year to spending time with my family, including marrying my fiancée.  I haven’t been able to spend much time with them in the last 12 years and I think it is worthwhile.

“But now it is the magic of the competition and I have prepared my best to play well and keep the World Championship title.

“The World Championship is especially important to Malaysia because no Malaysian has ever won a World title,” said Lee Chong Wei on the importance of the event.

“I’m sure that if Lin Dan and I should meet in the final, we will certainly entertain the crowd but hopefully it will end better for me than the Olympic finals or the Asian Games final where, of course, I lost to Lin Dan here in Guangzhou.”

Lin Dan brushed off suggestions that his decision to retire was hinging on the result at this week’s tournament: “This question seems to be of great interest to the media and to my fans but I will answer it again.  I cannot guarantee that any athlete will win a tournament but I will do my best and let me reaffirm that I would not retire.”