Hi all, Well, as we know china is the nation to contend with. They produce the best mens singles players, the best women singles player, the best womens doubles players and produce a mixed doubles pair that win the world and olympic titles. So what about men's doubles? How come china haven't produced the worlds best mens doubles pairs? To be honest, i really have no idea. I have discussed a few reasons about this with Cheung and, although it gave me an insight, it still doesn't really answer why. Do any of you have any suggestions why this may be? Matt
Here are some of my thoughts, correct me if I am wrong: 1. Single can make a person be "the one" much easier than a pair (also rely on ur partner) to be "the pair". Once problems occur, sometimes, it's very hard and frustrated (talking about ppl's relationship, etc) to figure out the actual problem and solve it in a positive manner. 2. Sometimes, I think China is a little bit too "push" on MD development. A good pair needs yrs of experience with each other. However, recent yrs, seems china MD pair kept changing, or at least, internally "switching" partner around. Therefore, with limited chances of work together, it's hard to be successful in a consistent basis. 3. To me, double takes more time to develop than singles. With MD struggle, somehow, MD development team might losing confidence in some sense. It might be some promising pair existed in the past, but once they struggle, the team staff might think, "hmmm... no good... we did something wrong again...". Then the players will also get used to some sort of "losing habit".
Its a good question Matt, you could just as easily say why do Korea produce only good mens doubles players and not mens singles. I think the last great chinese MD were Tian Bingyi and Li Yongbo before your time. I think sucess breeds success and history in an event inspires others to follow in the path. Just as YY and Zhao inspired chinese MS. When there is a path laid out it is easy to follow, if you have 2 top pairs it is easier to get a third, just as indonesia had in the early nineties. However I think china have three pairs right now who could be dangerous to anyone at the worlds so maybe things are improving for their MD.
Many complex reasons This is rather a complex issue and has to be due to the combination of the following reasons: - double does not get much attention traditionally compare to single. - less incentive, less rewarding compare to single. - hard to find the right partner that willingly to go all the way, if he last that long. - lack of quality sparring partners(INA is a perfect example) - ineffective coaching staff(look at what Li Mao has done to Korea MS) - too much politics and power struggle(Li Yongbo plays big part of it) What esle?
i think this problem is improving now. the chinese are getting better in mens doubles. just look at cai yun and fu haifeng. their recent performance is stunning! they won the singapore open and indonesia open in a row, and miraculously not losing a set in the sudirman cup! they are the only eye catching chinese pair and the rest of the chinese pairs really need to improve. i guess it's just a matter of time before china catches up in this event
so after 4 years, the situation's more or less the same... Besides Cai Yun n Fu Haifeng, who are on fire now, the rest doesn't seem to click, or rather achieve much... The next best pair, if im not mistaken, is 50++ on the rankings... In recent years, China has been chopping and changing their MD pairs like every year... The result? Under achievement.... Well, looks like CY/FHF will ave to fly the flag alone in MD for now...