A Titan Bids Farewell
Indonesian mixed doubles great Liliyana Natsir’s retirement from international badminton on the last day of the DAIHATSU Indonesia Masters brought to an end a stellar international career.
· DEV SUKUMAR
Even in her last match, Natsir showed just why she has remained among the world’s best mixed doubles players for a decade and a half.
Up against the current world champions Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong, Natsir piloted the challenge despite the emotional farewell she had been accorded before the start of the finals. At the net she was unflappable, creating openings for her partner Tontowi Ahmad, who, however, had one of his off days. The Indonesians faded away in the third game, and Natsir couldn’t cap her brilliant career with a last title victory.
Still, that was a relatively minor detail in a career that glittered with multiple achievements: an Olympic gold and silver, four World Championships crowns and three straight All England victories, among others.