Besides power, tactical awareness and a feel for the shuttle this one requires teamwork, blind understanding is the key. If that is given, spectacular matches are guaranteed. These are the masters of their trade:
10. Koo Kien Keat
One of the most spectacular doubles players ever to walk on court. Able to create the most incredible shots. But lacks in concentration and too much playfulness cost him dearly. Way too few titles measured against his talent.
9. Nathan Robertson
The icon of British badminton was probably the best European mixed doubles player in his prime. His career highlights were the silver medal in the Olympics in Athens and being able to win the title of the prestigious Yonex All England Open on home soil.
8. Zhang Jun
The Chinese Olympic mixed doubles champion participated in the most spectacular and well known rally the badminton sport ever saw.
7. Zheng Bo
The Chinese powerhouse impressed with a very strong impact on the shuttle and achieved quite a few All England and world cup titles.
6. Sigit Budiarto
The doubles specialist is an Indonesian badminton legend and will always be remembered for his trick shots and deceiption. With his congenial partner Chandra Wijaja he formed the commanding mens doubles team for many years. He also was held back a little by his hang to perform shuttle cock magic. His sheer talent should have brought him more titles, yet he will remain unforgotten due to his playing style.
5. Nova Widianto
My favourite mixed player ever ever ever! Technique, feel for the ball and feints paired with elegance. I could just watch him play forever. Together with his fantastic partner Lilyana Natsir he achieved two world cup titles, an Olympic silver medal and quite a few victories in Super Series Tournaments. Considering his skills that`s not enough, but whatever watching him stroking the shuttle was a treat for the eye!
4. Cai Yun
Olympic gold and silver, several times world champion. Simply effective and totally lethal at the net. Nuff said.
3. Lee Yong Dae
The Korean whizz kid has it all, no weaknesses can be detected. It is most extraordinary that -despite his young age- he is world class in both mens and mixed doubles for years now. Such a player comes along once in a blue moon. His biggest strengths are the almost unbreakable defense, his athletic body and the dominant netplay.
2. Tony Gunawan
He was mens doubles Olympic champion, worldclass for more than a decade and some (not me) say the best front court player of all times. Yet he will be remembered for one thing above all others: Winning the world cup title in 2005 in Anaheim along with the US American Howard Bach. Everyone who knows a little about the badminton sport will be able to judge this outrageous performance for what it was. I want to give credit to Bach, too. His smash was very good and -carried by the thrilled homecrowd- he played the tournament of his lifetime. Nevertheless a good smash is not even remotely enough against the skilled Asian competition. But Tony Gunawan showed everything he had and controlled the net like I had never seen before. A performance beyond belief!
1. Hendra Setiawan
The net skills of runner-up Gunawan are seconded only by one man. The coolest, most effective, most lethal and best doubles player of all times. Watching Hendra Setiawan between rallies it is hard to believe was this man is capable of. He appears almost lethargic in rest periods. But as soon as the shuttle is in play he positively explodes and shows breathtaking skills at the net. With his speed, feel for the ball, anticipation and precision he simply is superior to all the other great players out there.
A typical rally in mens doubles badminton lasts quite long since breaking the defense of the top class players needs time and preperation. Setiawan is the only one who seems to be able to end the rally as soon as he gets involved at the net. But it`s not just the front court play that seperates him from the rest. Again and again he manages to turn defense into offense with his clever blocks, where others choose to play the defensive lift. He isn`t the hardest smasher in the game, but he makes up for that with clever shot selection, a clear view and a witty playing style. Amazing guy!
10. Koo Kien Keat
One of the most spectacular doubles players ever to walk on court. Able to create the most incredible shots. But lacks in concentration and too much playfulness cost him dearly. Way too few titles measured against his talent.
9. Nathan Robertson
The icon of British badminton was probably the best European mixed doubles player in his prime. His career highlights were the silver medal in the Olympics in Athens and being able to win the title of the prestigious Yonex All England Open on home soil.
8. Zhang Jun
The Chinese Olympic mixed doubles champion participated in the most spectacular and well known rally the badminton sport ever saw.
7. Zheng Bo
The Chinese powerhouse impressed with a very strong impact on the shuttle and achieved quite a few All England and world cup titles.
6. Sigit Budiarto
The doubles specialist is an Indonesian badminton legend and will always be remembered for his trick shots and deceiption. With his congenial partner Chandra Wijaja he formed the commanding mens doubles team for many years. He also was held back a little by his hang to perform shuttle cock magic. His sheer talent should have brought him more titles, yet he will remain unforgotten due to his playing style.
5. Nova Widianto
My favourite mixed player ever ever ever! Technique, feel for the ball and feints paired with elegance. I could just watch him play forever. Together with his fantastic partner Lilyana Natsir he achieved two world cup titles, an Olympic silver medal and quite a few victories in Super Series Tournaments. Considering his skills that`s not enough, but whatever watching him stroking the shuttle was a treat for the eye!
4. Cai Yun
Olympic gold and silver, several times world champion. Simply effective and totally lethal at the net. Nuff said.
3. Lee Yong Dae
The Korean whizz kid has it all, no weaknesses can be detected. It is most extraordinary that -despite his young age- he is world class in both mens and mixed doubles for years now. Such a player comes along once in a blue moon. His biggest strengths are the almost unbreakable defense, his athletic body and the dominant netplay.
2. Tony Gunawan
He was mens doubles Olympic champion, worldclass for more than a decade and some (not me) say the best front court player of all times. Yet he will be remembered for one thing above all others: Winning the world cup title in 2005 in Anaheim along with the US American Howard Bach. Everyone who knows a little about the badminton sport will be able to judge this outrageous performance for what it was. I want to give credit to Bach, too. His smash was very good and -carried by the thrilled homecrowd- he played the tournament of his lifetime. Nevertheless a good smash is not even remotely enough against the skilled Asian competition. But Tony Gunawan showed everything he had and controlled the net like I had never seen before. A performance beyond belief!
1. Hendra Setiawan
The net skills of runner-up Gunawan are seconded only by one man. The coolest, most effective, most lethal and best doubles player of all times. Watching Hendra Setiawan between rallies it is hard to believe was this man is capable of. He appears almost lethargic in rest periods. But as soon as the shuttle is in play he positively explodes and shows breathtaking skills at the net. With his speed, feel for the ball, anticipation and precision he simply is superior to all the other great players out there.
A typical rally in mens doubles badminton lasts quite long since breaking the defense of the top class players needs time and preperation. Setiawan is the only one who seems to be able to end the rally as soon as he gets involved at the net. But it`s not just the front court play that seperates him from the rest. Again and again he manages to turn defense into offense with his clever blocks, where others choose to play the defensive lift. He isn`t the hardest smasher in the game, but he makes up for that with clever shot selection, a clear view and a witty playing style. Amazing guy!