CHEN Long: My son didn't understand I was a badminton star, but maybe now he will be supporting me

Reigning Olympic badminton champion CHEN Long may be a household name in People's Republic of China, but the two-time world champion admits that does not get the recognition he deserves at home.

His two-year-old son is still too young to understand what a celebrated player his father is.

“He was too young to recognise what’s happening, maybe starting from now, during these Olympic Games, as long as I’m competing, he will be cheering me on” the two-time Olympic medallist added.

Chen Long kicked off his title defence at the Musashino Forest Sports Plaza with a comfortable victory over Estonia’s Raul Must on Sunday (25 July). The tournament sixth seed took 41 minutes to wrap up a straight-set victory, winning 21-10, 21-9.

It is the first time the Chinese player has played an international tournament in over 15 months and shared that he does not feel any additional pressure coming into these Games as the reigning champion.

“I think every athlete feels a certain amount of pressure. Also, the field of men’s singles right now is very competitive, everyone is a competitor, so I wouldn’t say the players are simply looking to beat me. I believe every athlete hopes to present their best self on the field.

“So I think, as of now, even though there’s definitely pressure, as the competition progresses I might start to feel it more and more."

The 32-year-old is looking to defend his men’s singles title at Tokyo 2020 and clinch back-to-back Olympic titles, a feat that as only been achieved by his compatriot, Lin Dan.

But the three-time Olympian isn’t allowing himself to get distracted at the moment.

“I haven’t given it much thought. I’m just hoping to play well each time and perform well at the group stage.”

“Once we make it to the knockout stage, I’ll fight through each elimination round one by one. Competing every day to the fullest.”

Chen Long will next play Spain’s Pablo Albian on 28 July