“Well said”? “Well put”? He misrepresents my position leads into the point I am making.
I never said it’s “the reason” for badminton’s limited popularity. You know that and I suspect everyone here is smarter than that. I said consistent denials for photographs affects a fan’s connection to the sport, especially if the player is your favourite. You guys act like it’s no big deal to you but if every player did what Fu Haifeng does the amount of disillusioned fans and damage to the sport’s reputation would be worth addressing.
Yes, it is his private time, and really that’s my point. Let me answer some questions you never asked.
How does a cool, kind person and a gracious, upstanding sportsman choose to act in his private time? Not like Fu Haifeng.
Do I think the guy is a demon? No, but he’s not doing what a better sportsman would. Fans make up plenty of stranger reasons, rooted in personal impression, to like and dislike players: “LD is arrogant”; “Andy Roddick is rude”; “Carolina Marin screams way too much”. This is mine. That’s not remotely abnormal and, as long as I don’t hate and boo the man but rather just harbour a little natural resentment towards the player, it is far from childish. What a self-righteous criticism.
Do you honestly expect that I would cheer for the guy? No, you don’t, come on.
Are there good reasons a player would deny a photograph? Sure, but the number of good reasons get slimmer for a case of a player denying all requests habitually.
