How do the current crop of MS stack up to the previous generation?

Discussion in 'Professional Players' started by Justin L, Apr 14, 2020.

  1. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2011
    Messages:
    51,457
    Likes Received:
    4,190
    Location:
    Citizen of The World
    https://sports.sina.com.cn/others/badmin/2020-04-13/doc-iircuyvh7507520.shtml
    The title of the article says
    蔡赟赞老四大天王技术无人能敌 希望新人更全面
    Cai Yun praised the former Four Heavenly Kings for their unstoppable, consummate skills, hope the newcomers are more comprehensive
    [​IMG]

    Two previous greats have weighed in on this topic, namely Lee Chong Wei and Cai Yun.

    Recently, Lee CW, in an online interview was asked for his view of the current crop of Men's Singles in the circuit (in comparison with his generation), replied: "Looking at the players nowadays, I feel that if I were to go back to my 24 years of age, the badminton world today will be mine."

    We have heard not a few such views, in recent years basically every category of retired celebrities have expressed similar opinions. Generally, we can divide them into two main groups, one is to identify with the said opinion in thinking that they are not equal to the previous generation whether in basic skills or overall ability; the other group is of the view that the retired players " revere the past and neglect the present" or " esteem the past over the present".

    Cai Yun is in agreement with Lee CW, saying:" I personally agree with Lee CW, we are of the same generation, I know him more than most players and fans, above all, his technical and tactical abilities are truly exceptional, of which I have a deep understanding of. "

    He went on:" I always felt that watching videotapes of players' matches as opposed to watching them live are two different matters, that's because in our pre-match preparations, we tended to select the opponent's well-played matches to study and scrutinize, which usually impressed us and affected our confidence somewhat. On the other hand, while watching them live, we may usually feel their performance and ability on the spot don't reach the level in the video, therefore I dislike watching technical videos."

    He further pointed out:" But every time I watched Lee CW live on-court, his performance would match up to the level he displayed on video, that's why I say his ability is really strong. He is qualified to say the above words."

    Cai Yun followed on:" In terms of basic skills and overall ability, players nowadays are indeed inferior to the previous generation, for example,...

    [ Cai Yun then elaborated a little on the technical aspects of the game, giving some examples of Taufilk Hidayat...Kento Momota, Viktor Axelsen, not denying the latter two has the standard but compared with the previous greats, they are technically not all-round - pardon me for skipping this part as it contained certain technical words I've difficulty translating for lack of a good Chinese-English dictionary, maybe some of you who are able to can help me out here - Justin]

    " We can imagine, if we think back to the past top Men's Singles, Lin Dan, Taufik Hidayat, Lee Chong Wei, Peter Gade, everybody can immediately call to mind their special abilities, at the same time it's not easy to think of their prominent shortcomings. Of the current Men's Singles, let's say everyone's style of play is unique, but it always give people a kind of feeling " it would be better if he could improve on that a little bit."

    Finally, he added in conclusion:" As we retired players point out that the current cohort of players are not that solid in fundamentals and their abilities not comprehensive enough, we risk being criticized by many fans. Still, as a matter of fact, we are not biased against the current generation of active players, we are merely passionate about the game and adore the players, and just hoping to make them get better and better in this way. Honestly speaking, I really hope these young players will keep me from finding anything to criticize, after all, I have to bear the pressure of criticizing others."
     
    #1 Justin L, Apr 14, 2020
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2020
  2. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2011
    Messages:
    51,457
    Likes Received:
    4,190
    Location:
    Citizen of The World
    Perhaps the moderator might want to consider moving this thread to the Professional Players Forum as more appropriate.

    Sorry,my mind was elsewhere (blame the Covid-19 pandemic) when I was about to create the thread.
     
    #2 Justin L, Apr 14, 2020
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2020
  3. LenaicM

    LenaicM Regular Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    1,280
    Likes Received:
    1,035
    Location:
    Europe
    Thank you for the translation! An article I wouldn't have been able to read otherwise.
     
    Justin L likes this.
  4. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2011
    Messages:
    51,457
    Likes Received:
    4,190
    Location:
    Citizen of The World
    The part which I skipped translating:-
    蔡赟说:“现在队员的基本功和整体能力确实不如过去,举个例子,挡远网抓推这个战术套路,我印象中最早在比赛中频繁使用的运动员是陶菲克,但这只是他战术套路中的一种,他的网前搓球的细腻程度也是世界顶尖的,也就是说他在处理网前球的时候,可以有很多种主动的处理方法。”

      “但是现在的男单,基本上就只有挡远网抓推,除了桃田贤斗和安赛龙会偶尔抢网之外,其他人的套路就比较单调了。我不否认男单现在对于这个套路的掌握水平,只不过和过去相比,他们的技术不全面。”

    Mainly these five words 挡远网抓推 which I can roughly make a guess but chose not to , so leave it to the translation experts to help me.
     
  5. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2011
    Messages:
    51,457
    Likes Received:
    4,190
    Location:
    Citizen of The World
    Literally, the five words 挡远网抓推 loosely translated or in sort of transliteration (non-technical language) : block, far (distant), net, grab (catch), push.
     
  6. LenaicM

    LenaicM Regular Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    1,280
    Likes Received:
    1,035
    Location:
    Europe
    And it's interesting to know how former top players judge the current generation.

    Better not post that in the KM thread though :p.
     
    Justin L likes this.
  7. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2011
    Messages:
    51,457
    Likes Received:
    4,190
    Location:
    Citizen of The World
    The author of the above article is none other than Cai Yun himself, in case you're guessing.
     
  8. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2011
    Messages:
    51,457
    Likes Received:
    4,190
    Location:
    Citizen of The World
    Yes, I've been forewarned.:p:D;):)

    Well, my intention is not to stir unnecessary debate or controversy (there's none as everybody is entitled to their own opinions, but not to their own facts), only to hear what some great players say about the current state of badminton.
     
    #8 Justin L, Apr 14, 2020
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2020
    LenaicM likes this.
  9. LenaicM

    LenaicM Regular Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    1,280
    Likes Received:
    1,035
    Location:
    Europe
    Totally, I was just joking. In fact I believe players like VA or KM are at a very similar level. May be just a notch down. Still missing a little something. They did beat the likes of LCW or LD. But... LCW and LD were old already and they did beat their younger opponents too in return and not at the top of their game but during the last part of their career. Still hard to know what a young LD would do against KM nowadays. We will never know.
     
  10. Tec07

    Tec07 Regular Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2017
    Messages:
    176
    Likes Received:
    42
    Location:
    Birmingham
    I wonder if lcw compared a 24 year old version of himself because the current top players are mid 20s also or because he believes that is when he was at his best? I personaly think lcw late 20s even early 30s is a much stronger player.. circa 2012 his best for me. Little earlier for lin dan mid 20s for him. I never got to see peter or taufik unfortunatly :(
    As for a young lin dan vs kento, i think lin dan is ahead. Im a massive fan of kento he is an amazing player and has proven it already many times and will still, i believe improve in coming years but young lin dan was mind blowing to see, real jaw dropping stuff. To this day ive never seen a player i believe to play at a level that could match him, just my opinion ofcourse and who knows there could be someone just around the corner if we havent already got him on the circuit maybe.
     
    Justin L and LenaicM like this.

Share This Page