Lin Dan is My Idol Says Rhustavito – Thailand Open: Day 3
There was a time when a win over Lin Dan would have earned the victor the title of “giant killer”. Today, Lin Dan is ranked 14th in the world, yet, the younger players regard him as the one to beat.
· GEETHANJALI LAKSHMAYYA
“Lin Dan is my idol,” said Shesar Hiren Rhustavito of Indonesia after he defeated the Chinese two-time Olympic gold medallist and five-time world champion 12-21 21- 15 21-10 in the men's singles of the TOYOTA Thailand Open 2019.
“Growing up I would watch his matches and try to pick up pointers on how to improve my own playing style. I also admire Taufik Hidayat but he tended to play an offensive game while I think my style is more like Lin Dan,” said Rhustavito.
Rhustavito, ranked No. 34 in the world, admitted that he was nervous going into the match because Lin Dan was one of the best players in his time. “I lost that nervous feeling halfway through the match when I realised I could win.”