She is top seeded in women’s singles at this year’s Yonex Denmark Open, but Li Xuerui also has the time to think of other things than badminton during her stay in Denmark.
Chinese star player Li Xuerui is back in Denmark after last year’s defeat in the quarterfinals at Yonex Denmark Open. The world number 1 in women’s singles enjoys playing far away from China. Some of the reasons are shopping and fairytales.
”Actually my hotel is located at a shopping street so I spend some of my time here in Odense buying new clothes,” she says.
The defending Olympic and All England champion is also going to see Odense’s biggest attraction.
” My favourite fairy tale is the story about the Little Mermaid, so of course I’m also going to see H. C. Andersen’s house,” she says.
When she is not discovering Odense she also likes to relax at the hotel and listen to music from her
favourite artist, Eason Chen
Different pressure
Another reason why she likes Denmark is the lack of pressure compared to China.
”Here in Denmark the pressure from friends, family and media is not the same. It lifts the spirit to play in other parts of the world, than I’m used to,” Li Xuerui says.
Coming back for World Championship
The 22-year-old Chinese has already noticed that she will be back in Denmark already next summer.
”I’m looking forward to play here again at the World Championships next year. I love staying in Denmark,” she says.
Denmark is hosting the World Championship from the 25th to the 31th of august 2014.