The focus has been on Lin Dan far too long. What about other present Chinese players who excelled since the inception of Super Series tournaments followed by the elevation of a few to Premier status. Lin Dan needs no introduction nor induction requests as he is already in the Hall of Fame for being a Grand Slam winner by bagging all major titles that have to offer. I think other Chinese players from different categories deserve almost the same recognition like Lin Dan. The likes of Zhao Yunlei, Yu Yang, Wang Yihan, Wang Xiaoli Wang Yihan - started playing since 2006 and guess what ? She has bagged almost every title the world stage has to offer and she needs only an Olympic Gold Medal and Asian Games Gold Medal to be on the same divine level as Lin Dan, furthermore she has never failed to reach every Premier SS final. Two titles away from being the greatest female badminton player of all time. Zhao Yunlei - A player who wins most of the SS titles and dominant in both WD and XD. Offiicially, she needs only an Olympic Gold medal from either one to hailed as the greatest doubles player after Gao Ling who too excelled in both disciplines. She stands a good chance to bag two golds in London. YuYang/Wang Xiaoli - Both have been unstoppable since 2011 and won all five premier events without dropping a single set. An Olympic Gold Medal and Asian Games Gold would officially put this pair as the most celebrated pair in the premier open era..
I would say only YuYang/Wang Xiaoli may be able to be compared with LD. WYH - "Two titles away from being the greatest female badminton player of all time"? Even she wins OG this year, it will be a long way to go before reaching Zhang Ning, Susi Susanti and Li Ling Wei's level. Zhao Yunlei - Too bad she has to live in YY/WXL's shadow.
Zhang Ning - never won the All England and Asian Games before her career Susi Susanti - the only title she let it slipped thru her fingers was the Asian Games hence incomplete Li Lingwei - No Olympic Gold hence it is difficult to be considered a great player Wang Yihan is only 24 and she poised to win the two titles left to become the most complete player in the world
If WYH wins OG and AG, he is more like Agassi. There other 3 legends are more like Pete Sampras. Hmm, it will be very debatable who is greater.
All England is not a prestigious title.AE held anually, and hosted by one country only.Totally different with OG and World Championships
I am unbiased, although from england, but it is the oldest tournament, it was in effect the world championship until 1977 and most players would regard it quite highly.
Tournaments that are held anually and hosted by one country only : China SS, Korea, Indonesia and Denmark.If AE is prestigious, so does China SS and the other 3 tourneys
For China, China SSP more prestigious than the other SSP. The same thing goes to the other countries.
The list of tournaments held annually and in the same country is infinite, almost every tournament in fact. How does it makenit more prestigious to move countries?
Yes, that's why i said most of the countries doesn't consider AE as prestigious tourney, unless they also said that the other SSP also a prestigious tournament. Nothing speciial from AE compare to other SSP
History means nothing. In 2005 or 2006, all england only as 4 star tourney, the same status with regional tourney, Badminton Asian Championships. So, where is the prestigious ?