Source:REUTERS/Paul Childs
[Saba Sports News] Recently, former badminton men’s singles world number one Lin Dan responded during a live broadcast to questions from netizens about his son choosing tennis over badminton. Lin Dan stated that badminton is his passion, not his son’s, and emphasized that he would fully support his 8-year-old son in pursuing his love for tennis. Lin Dan admitted that the competition in badminton is intense and expressed concerns that if his son were to pursue badminton, he would face the dilemma of being “analyzed by opponents before even debuting.” He believes that if his son were involved in badminton, he would endure the public pressure of being “Lin Dan’s son” and the burden of comparisons with his parents. Choosing tennis allows the child to grow independently in an environment without the influence of family fame. Throughout the live broadcast, Lin Dan repeatedly emphasized that badminton is “too tough; he absolutely won’t play,” mentioning the high competition density and the difficulties of a professional career. Similar choices have been seen in the families of other athletes, such as Guo Jingjing and Li Xiaopeng, who also did not let their children pursue the sports that made them famous.
The editor believes that Lin Dan’s choice reflects a rational shift in how contemporary elite athletes approach their children’s education—prioritizing happiness, autonomy, and a well-rounded character over professional legacy. This “letting go” is a continuation of the care for the “human” aspect of sportsmanship.