Singapore Open: Jeers for Chinese superstar Lin Dan as he concedes another walkover

The boos from the fans at the Singapore Open said it all yesterday.
Three-time world champion Lin Dan of China pulled off his antics once again when he conceded a walkover to compatriot Chen Jin in the men’s singles final to the disappointment of the fans – both at the stadium and also at homes all over the world.
It was the fourth time that Lin Dan had staged similar walkouts in his last seven international tournaments. He gave walkovers for various reasons at the 2010 China Open and Hong Kong Open and the 2011 Malaysian Open – all at the quarter-final stages.
The 28-year-old Lin Dan did turn up on the playing arena and apologised to the fans, citing that he was ill but the spectators, who had purchased tickets to watch him play, were not too happy with the turn of events.
As a consolation and to appease the home crowd, he threw three autographed memorabilia to the fans.

China’s Lin Dan waving to the crowd after announcing his walkover to team-mate Chen Jin in the final because of stomach pains at the Singapore Open Sunday. -Reuters

Lin Dan, as stated in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) website, said: “I had a tough match against Peter(Gade Christensen of Denmark during the semi-final) and drank too much cold water. I went to bed not feeling too good and in the morning consulted the team doctor. I was diagnosed as having gastroenteritis and was advised not to play. I am sorry for the fans who came to watch me play and I apologise.”
Now, there are fears that he may do the same thing at next week’s Premier Super Series – the Indonesia Open.
Barring any upsets, the second seeded Lin Dan is tipped to meet world number one Lee Chong Wei in the final. The probable match-up was expected to be a perfect prelude before the players converge again at the World Championships, which will be held in London from Aug 8-14.
National coach Rashid Sidek said that Lin Dan’s action did not augur well for the sport.
“We (the badminton family) are trying to promote the game but Lin Dan’s walkover in the final does not help. It is unsportsmanlike,” said Rashid.
“Yes, he has his own reasons (being sick) but he has done this too often and it is quite difficult to believe the authenticity of it. And this always happens when the match involves two Chinese players. Lin Dan’s walkover will benefit Chen Jin in his bid to qualify for next year’s London Olympic Games.
A country can have a maximum of three players at the London Olympic Games if all of them are ranked in the top four bracket in the world and mighty China are trying to achieve that.
Currently, Lin Dan and Chen Long are ranked second and fourth while Chen Jin has dropped to 10th after his failure to win any titles since emerging as the world champion in Paris last year.
Said Rashid : “Let us hope that Lin Dan will be in good shape at the Indonesia Open. Fans want to see good badminton and not be subjected to constant walkovers.”
The BWF had made it compulsory for all the top 10 players to be present during the Premier Super Series event. Even if they are injured (unless bedridden), the players have to show up during the competition – to at least participate in autograph sessions with the fans.
Other than the anti-climax of Lin Dan and Chen Jin’s match, it was a great day for China when they swept three other titles in Singapore except for the mixed doubles. Indonesia went back home with one title through Tantowi Ahmad-Lilyana Natsir, who defeated Chen Hung-ling-Cheng Wen-hsing of Taiwan 21-14, 27-25.