China's Xie to retire after Nat'l Games
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
BEIJING, Sept 7 (AFP): Chinese badminton queen Xie Xingfang is likely to hang up her racquet following October's National Games after failing to land a third world singles title in India last month.
But her boyfriend, world number one Lin Dan, will continue playing, state media reported.
Xie has been a dominant shuttler over the past decade but missing out on Beijing Olympic gold and another title at the world championships convinced her to quit.
"Xie is a veteran player and she was a good role model for a young team," national team coach Li Yongbo was quoted as saying in the China Daily.
"She had done everything she could, so she chose to retire from international competition after the world championships.
"Xie has proved she is one of the best players in the world. We respect her decision. The October National Games are likely to be her last tournament. I believe she will continue to devote herself to the sport in a different way."
But her boyfriend, world number one Lin Dan, will continue playing, state media reported.
Xie has been a dominant shuttler over the past decade but missing out on Beijing Olympic gold and another title at the world championships convinced her to quit.
"Xie is a veteran player and she was a good role model for a young team," national team coach Li Yongbo was quoted as saying in the China Daily.
"She had done everything she could, so she chose to retire from international competition after the world championships.
"Xie has proved she is one of the best players in the world. We respect her decision. The October National Games are likely to be her last tournament. I believe she will continue to devote herself to the sport in a different way."