From Chou Tien Chen’s quarantine experience to why Para badminton star Chan Ho Yuen Daniel watches Korean dramas, these are the top quotes on and in our favourite sport throughout 2020.

JANUARY

“I was moving well. It’s rare that I’m moving well nowadays.”

Saina Nehwal after beating An Se Young at PERODUA Malaysia Masters.

“Even though she is dear to my heart and vice-versa, we fight until the end. I don’t want to give her any point, and she won’t give me any.”

Greysia Polii insists friendship does not affect her desire to beat Chang Ye Na.

FEBRUARY

“We are without any doubt the best team in Europe.”

Anders Antonsen, following Denmark’s European Men’s Team Championships win in France.

“My story is quite similar, moving to France without knowing the language, and struggling by living alone.”

Qi Xuefei on why Pi Hongyan is her role model.

MARCH

“It’s a journey I started with my mum, and I lost her four months ago. I hope I can finish it on my own now.”

Dutch Para player Megan Hollander explains how much making the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games would mean to her.

“It was like going from heaven to hell.”

Hong Kong’s Tang Chun Man after allowing Marcus Ellis/Lauren Smith to win from behind in the YONEX All England Open quarterfinals.

“If you aren’t happy getting cheered on in front of this amazing crowd, then you’re not human.”

Viktor Axelsen after beating Chou Tien Chen in the final.

“Badminton has given me so many friends and connections around the world and memories I’ll never ever forget.”

Mads Conrad-Petersen following his retirement.

APRIL

“Had he been present in any other era, he would have been an Olympic and world champion.”

Denmark’s ex-coach Steen Pedersen says Lee Chong Wei was denied the big titles only by Lin Dan.

“If it wasn’t for badminton, I don’t know what I’d be today. It has very much changed not only my life but my family’s as well.”

Anthony Sinisuka Ginting on the impact of the sport on him.

“He’s a legend. His titles speak for themselves. We have to salute him.”

Lee Chong Wei on why Lin Dan is the greatest shuttler of all time.

“It’s like I’m back in high school.”

Chou Tien Chen on how it was to be home without competitions.

“Injury squashed my dad’s hopes of being a world champion. He lived his dream through me.”

Indonesia legend Susi Susanti reveals who her biggest inspiration was.

MAY

“I want my son Xiaoyu to know when he grows up that his father had tremendous difficulties at the end of his career. But he must also know his father still worked hard and tried his best.”

Lin Dan’s next target is to be his three-year-old son’s role model.

“My father is a farmer, my mother a homemaker. They are not athletes but always encouraged us to follow our dreams.”

Para badminton player Leani Ratri Oktila is grateful her parents never gave up on her.

“Two boys and two girls, that’s enough to form two mixed doubles pairings.”

Chan Peng Soon upon the birth of daughter Leah.

“Badminton has touched my life in ways I can’t explain. Badminton is the miracle in my life.”

Nigeria’s Anuoluwapo Juwon Opeyorion why he made the sport his career.

“I watch Korean drama not only for entertainment (but also) because my biggest opponent is Korean. If I learn the language, I can understand what they talk about during matches.”

Chan Ho Yuen Daniel reveals his strategy to get the better of rival Kim Jungjun.

JUNE

“We got famous young. We lost our discipline, got too big headed and our performances suffered. When we became world No.1, there was no one above us. So, we stopped listening to our coach.”

Tan Boon Heong admits he and partner Koo Kien Keat missed a chance to realise their true potential.

“It doesn’t bother me if you puke on court. But you have to give your 100 per cent.”

Lakshya Sen recalls how Morten Frost inspired him to last year’s Yonex Dutch Open title.

“You can control your body with a strong mind, but you can’t control your mind with a strong body.”

Jonatan Christie believes on-court mental strength will bring him more titles.

“Sometimes one needs to taste defeat to sit up. If you win all the time, you might be tempted to believe you’ve arrived.”

African champion Dorcas Ajoke Adesokan on why she stays grounded.