For subscribers
Sporting Life: An elastic reminder of Asia's love for badminton
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox

Denmark's Viktor Axelsen (left) and Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia during a rally at the All England Open Badminton Championship men's singles final on March 21, 2021.
PHOTO: AFP
Badminton hurts but you can't hear it. It's why players should have a tiny microphone affixed to their shirt. So we can hear them breathe after a 42-shot rally. Barely has oxygen been sucked in and they're diving to their right, onto their knuckles, bouncing up, and composing another 27-shot conversation.
Want to towel off? Sometimes the umpire says no. This isn't sissy tennis. Play.


