Is doubles inferior?

I'm thinking its just the endurance it takes to play singles is too much. China in particular likes to have their atheletes young. If you notice, they retire alot of their players early like...late 20s. Except for that one womens singles player whos like 30, and thats ancient in china's eyes. Anyway, i would think doubles, is a different game all together, but you dont have to cover as much ground and in theory youre hitting the bird half as the number of times u would in singles.

 

In Malaysia (or KL more specifically), at almost every recreational badminton courts, you will see doubles matches. I personally started off playing doubles in school because there was a lack of courts and satisfying 4 people is better than 2. So, in Malaysia, doubles and singles are similarly superior.

 

For both badminton & tennis, some of the quickest, most athletic & creative players are the doubles specialists. Singles tends to be more of a stamina contest. The truly impressive players are the ones that can play both singles & doubles at a very high level... however, you just don't see this as much anymore since players tend to specialize (in both badminton & tennis).

 

I don't think it's fair to compare the two. Because both games are different - I think doubles is easier physically - however, I think you end up hitting more smashes in doubles and also think doubles is much more quicker game than singles. Physically I think singles is insane - it might be because my footwork is really poor. Also, if people are not used to doubles strategy - it's a really tough to play doubles - singles you have nothing to worry about other than the person across the net - so in that sense it's easier to play. Also really good player probably prefer to play alone than with partner. (some people just don't enjoy team sports)
JS

 

i dont think that either one is superior but i myself prefer singles.... for singles it requires a lot more running around and quicker recovery because theres no one to cover for you. for doubles, team work and coordination is very important or else you will either be hitting each others racquet all the time or theres the hole in the middle where no one gets the bird... i prefer singles because im afraid for my racquet

 

I prefer doubles because it's much more fun playing with 2. Having fun is the most important thing for me in badminton

 

Try getting two good singles players to play doubles against a good doubles team. I would bet on the doubles team to win. As others have mentioned, singles and doubles are very different beasts. Also, it's just a matter of perspective. Everybody has a preference and those preferences are often influenced by their social group and society in general.

 

I honestly think doubles is faster, and harder. The shot selection is very different, and must be faster because less time in between shots. I think that doubles players (the good ones) are much quicker than the good singles players. When endurance isn't a factor, doubles is "harder" to play I think. I personally like singles more cause I suck at doubles. Lack that "killer instinct".

 

Doubles are not inferior. Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles, are all different games together requiring different techniques.

And if you want to win the Sudirman Cup, you need to win at least one Doubles to win the match. So it would be unfair to call any one particular game inferior.

And China is now focusing on Doubles too. China had been so behind in MD for many years and now they have Fu/Cai pair so I guess they now realize the importance of Doubles if they haven't before.

 

Not inferior, just different... pace is faster. and four people on court doesn't equate to hitting the ball 50% less.

for me I prefer doubles, when the rotation is good on both sides, and the skill level is even, you get incredibles rallies, saves and shots.. its like watching a fast paced ballet for me.. the description "poetry in motion" pretty much sums it up..

regards

 

as a spectator, i definitely say that doubles have more spectacle. The game is faster and involves more smashes, drives, tight net shots, etc.

during the Sudirman Cup final, i was hoping that Indo will at least win one event so that the men double game will proceed. no luck though.

 

lol, i was really disappointed too, but seriously, Indonesia never had a chance in the ladies singles. The gap between the 2 players are just too big...

When Lin Dan beat Taufik, could have guess that MD would not take place.

 

No . Singles and doubles are very different from each other and whether we think one is better than the other is just our perception . You can't really compare the two and say this ones better the other . There is a challenging side to both the games . Doubles requires teamwork , contain faster rallies , more smashing ( lose more energy ) while singles require more stamina , good shot selections , tactics , footwork etc . So in conclusion , I'd say there is not really a definite answer to whether one is better than the other ...

 

i prefer doubles or even mixed doubles. more interesting to play as a team and i think physically less demanding.

Chin

 

Have to disagree with that , for doubles and mixed , there is more smashing involved and the pace of the rally is faster as well . I'd say doubles is even more physically demanding than singles ~!

 

I think the endurance factor is a huge influence in singles though.

 

it can be if u want to put that much effort in, but if you're the only person covering the entire court...even without jump smashing you'd need a lot of stamina (obviously assuming the opponent doesn't just hit it at you all the time)

 

I guess it all comes down to the level of play , pace of the rally , the type of opponent(s) and the effort ... whether singles or doubles is more physical demanding than another is viewed differently for each person I guess . But I still think that doubles is more physical demanding ...