If you are lucky, you might bump into Lee Chong Wei, number one in the world and national sports idol in Malaysia, shopping in the city mall in Odense. Or maybe the Chinese Olympic Champion from London 2012, Li Xuerui, doing a little bit of sightseeing in “The city of fairytales”.
For many Asian badminton stars, playing Yonex Denmark Open and coming to Denmark is much different from what they are used to. Here, for example, they can walk around as they like, without attracting too much attention and being recognized all the time. And they love it.
Du Pengyu, top Chinese player and third seeded at this year’s Yonex Denmark Open, feels really comfortable in Denmark because of the relaxed atmosphere.
- I almost prefer to play here because there is not so much pressure and I can relax in a better way outside the courts. There is less public attention; sometimes in China it can be almost too much, Du Pengyu says.
More freedom to be themselves
China is known for their badminton culture and their love for the game. Badminton players are superstars in China, where in Denmark the sport is much less popular regarding to the medias and the public interest.
“I like the simplicity of life her in Denmark, it’s more comfortable”, Du Pengyu says. It’s his fourth time being in Denmark.
Teammate from China, Li Xuerui, agrees:
- I really like the freedom here. I can walk on the streets without being recognized. In China, I’m not able to be myself all the time, because so many people know me now, the Olympic Champion and number one on the world ranking list says.
Du Pengyu won his first match Wednesday against Chou Tien Chen from Chinese Taipei, 21-12, 19-21, 21-12. As expected, Li Xuerui also won her first match against Arundhati Pantawane from India, 21-17, 21-15.
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