'Take a break my friend, you deserve it.' This was the brotherly message from former World No 1 Lee Chong Wei to his arch-rival and five-time world champion Lin Dan, who announced his retirement from the China national squad yesterday.
Arguably the best badminton player of all time, the two-time Olympic champion (2008, 2012) was quoted as saying that he could no longer cope with the physical demands of the game, and it was time to call it quits.
The announcement means the 36-year-old, a winner of 666 titles, will not be competing in next year's Tokyo Olympics.
Chong Wei, meanwhile, did not see Lin Dan's retirement as a surprise at all.
In fact, the 38-year-old Malaysian told Timesport that he would like to continue working closely with Lin Dan once the China star has enjoyed a well-deserved break.
"This is how it is. This is the life of an athlete... a time will come when we all have to retire," said Chong Wei.
"I played for 19 years, and Lin Dan went on to make it 20. It's time he enjoys a well-deserved break," he added.
Chong Wei, who hung up his racquet last year, said he shared many similarities in life with Lin Dan and is excited to see the former embark on a new chapter in life.
"Like in my case, Lin Dan's wife (Xie Xingfang) is also a former badminton player. Back then, it was badminton all the time. If we were not playing in tournaments, we were at training camps, there was hardly time for family.
"I'm sure that's all Lin Dan wants right now. I hope the Covid-19 situation eases soon, so he can take his wife around the world and spend time with his son (Xiaoyu)," said Chong Wei, who is married to Wong Mew Choo.
Chong Wei, who had battled Lin Dan in almost every major final, wishes to continue promoting the sport with him for as long as they can.
"Although we have retired, I wish to continue promoting the sport with Lin Dan. Badminton is in our blood.
"Of course I want him to enjoy his retirement first. Let him take his time." Fabian Peter