Serving is probably an essential part of the game since it is the one-shot that must be included in every rally (Walden, 2021). You have as much time as you need to prepare, so there is no excuse for not doing it well. Because the serve marks the beginning of each rally and determines its flow, it is an essential component of the game to master in badminton (Starting Right – How Crucial Is the Serve, n.d.).

1. Low serve

This low serve is virtually a soft touch over the net with the shuttle, intending to fly just over the net but land just short of his service court’s front line. It would be best if you were not too high or predictable, or you can make a complete smash or net kill for your opponent.

2. High serve

The high serve is a robust upward hit with the shuttle that tries to go a long distance upwards and land deep towards the back end of the court. Although it is a powerful serve and a popular choice for beginners, it is difficult to hide, primarily if you use a forehand grip. Your opponent will have previously predicted that the shuttlecock would land at the rear of the court. Remember that shuttlecocks must fall within the respective service zones, which differ between singles and doubles.

3. Flick serve

This flip serve is played upwards as well, although at a considerably lower altitude. The flick serves most commonly executed by players using their backhand, and the trajectory is more downward since this grip has less force. The main idea of the backhand flick serve is to deceive the opponent by changing your serves and making it appear as though you’re executing a low serve. As a result, serving with your backhand is highly popular among competitive players. It is difficult for your opponent to predict whether you will execute a flick or a low serve since your stroke will appear identical until the point of contact.

4. Drive serve            

This is an aggressive serve that elite badminton players use. The goal is to hit the shuttle directly towards your opponent, limiting their return choices and catching them off guard, allowing you to score efficiently. It’s a refreshing change of pace, but it’s also hazardous since your opponent may smash the shuttlecock back at you if he’s prepared. This service is made with your forehand using an underarm motion and a follow-through. The shuttle should be dropped sideways rather than directly in front of your body, and it should be struck flatter.

A boy who once dreamed of being the number one player in badminton became more than a milestone in the sport’s history.

Prakash Padukone has been nicknamed the “God of Badminton,” showing extraordinary skills knocking off opponents in his unique skills and talent in the sport in his early days. The characteristic had him earning the title of the “Father of Badminton.”

Early Days

Ramesh Padukone, his father, was the secretary of the Mysore Badminton Association when Prakash was born on the 10th of June in 1955. Once he first set his foot on the Badminton court, Padukone immediately fell in love. His father was his most outstanding mentor, as he began to compete in championships at the young age of seven. Prakash Padukone learned badminton from state players at a wedding hall, where he developed his abilities.

The Start of the New Beginning

He continued to train until he was 16 when his training paid him off for being the youngest player in history to win the National Senior Championship. It so happened that ever since his first win, he has made an astonishing record for having nine straight wins in a row.

His Life and Career

Padukone became the first-ever Indian to win the title at the All England Championship in 1980. As a result of his aggressive style of play, he was renowned and respected across the globe and was consistently ranked among the world’s top 10 players. It was 1989 when Padukone withdrew from the badminton circuit, and it was 1994 when he opened his academy in Bengaluru, where he coaches and develops emerging potential. Badminton Association of India (BAI) Chairman for a brief time.             

Today, the Father of Badminton is 65 years old, and his name still radiates to the sport’s identity. To all aspiring badminton athletes, Padukone is an ideal player—a figure worth looking up to.

Badminton is undeniably one of the most popular sports in the world. This sport is widely played in Asian countries due to its popularity in the region. Badminton is also a major event in the Olympics wherein the best players in the world compete for a gold medal. Badminton is also governed by a special body that regulates and improves the sports of badminton. The tournaments spearheaded by the Badminton World Federation are also a benchmark to pronounce the best badminton players globally.

MEN’S DIVISION

1. Lee Chong Wei

He is a Malaysian professional badminton player. From August 2008 until June 2012, he was rated one in the world in singles. He holds the distinction of being the only Malaysian player to be ranked top in the world for more than a year. In terms of Olympic accomplishments, he has three silver medals and is Malaysia’s sixth Olympic medalist. He adored Sun Jun of China as a child. Sun Jun has previously held the title of World Champion. Lee Chong is widely regarded as one of the best players Malaysia has created in the previous ten years.

2. Chen Long

Chen Long is dubbed the Little Dan after following one of the greatest badminton players in China. He is currently ranked No.2 in the world, following Lee Chong Wei on the ladder. This 25-year-old prodigy started his career in a junior championship in the 2007 BWF World Junior Championships. He won against Lee Chong Wei in the 2016 Rio Olympics for the Gold medal bout, making him the new world champion for the men’s single category. He has two world and All England titles. Chen has confessed that he has always admired and aspired to become like the two great legendary players Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan, whom he first saw in the Beijing Olympics.

3. Lin Dan

The number three spot is taken by a Chinese player named Lin Dan. At the age of 33, he is still competing professionally, facing younger players in the sport. Lin Dan was one of the most decorated badminton players globally when he achieved the Super Grand Slam by winning all nine major badminton titles. He’s known for his risky playstyle of smashing towards the sidelines, which is a risky move, especially under pressure. Despite his age, he is sure one of the players to watch out for with his trick shots and out-of-the-world moves.

4. Viktor Axelsen

A 23-year-old player from Denmark with a bright future in the game of Badminton. Viktor Axelsen stands out among Badminton’s rising talents. He was the first European player to be the title winner in the 2010 world junior championships of the BWF. In the same year, he made his professional debut, claiming the Cyprus International. Upon debuting to the professional league, he found himself lagging behind the seasoned players of the league; but, with his young age and the potential he possesses, he will undoubtedly become the next great thing.

5. Jan O. Jorgensen

Jan O. Jorgensen is another Danish player to join the ranks following Viktor. In 2014, he was crowned European champion. He also competes in the Denmark Badminton League with SIF(Skovshoved). He won the bronze medal at the 2008 European Badminton Championships and 2012 European Badminton Championships. Many people are unaware that Jan O Jorgensen had a relationship with cricket when he was a youngster.

WOMEN’S DIVISION

1. Carolina Marin

Carolina Marin is the top female player in the world of Badminton as of today. Winning the Women’s Single World Championship in 2014 and 2015 escalate her ranking to the No.1 spot in the women’s leaderboards. She is the first Spanish player to reach the top of the women’s singles rankings. She just won a gold medal at the Olympics after dominating India’s PV Sindhu. She possesses a strong smash and moves faster around the court than anybody else. She is the sole left-handed player in the global rankings. Marin’s mental grit and determination to succeed continue to astound everyone.

2. Wang Yihan

She is a retired professional badminton player from China. She started her professional badminton career when at only nine years of age. She occupied the number one spot in 2009. She won accolades for her action-packed performance in the 2012 Olympics and 2011 World Championships, 2006 World Cup, and Asian Championships in 2011 and 2013. She made the junior squad in 2004, and after being promoted to the senior team in 2006, she began to excel in big events.

3. Li Xuerui

She is a professional Chinese badminton player with a spectacular record for winning the 2012 London Olympic Gold Medal and a World Championship runner-up in 2013 and 2014. Outstanding technique, mental and physical power, and excellent court coverage made her badminton career go to her liking. She is currently holding the number 3 spot in the world.

4. Ratchanok Intanon

Ratchanok Intanon currently holds ninth place in the world rankings. In 2013, at the age of 19, she became one of the youngest women to win a singles World Championship. Aside from that, she has won the Junior Championship three years in succession, in 2009, 2010, and 2011. She is the first Thai player to reach the top of the Women’s Singles rankings. She is noted for her relaxed striking motion and nimble footwork, which observers have described as ‘balletic.’

5. Tai Tzu-Ying        

Tai Tzu-Ying is a Taiwanese badminton player who won the Taiwanese Ranking Competition at the age of 16. As a result, she is the youngest number one in Taiwanese badminton history. Her deceptive shots and fantastic skill set her apart from the other players. Tai won the gold medal in women’s singles at both the 2018 Asian Games and the 2017 Summer Universiade. She won the Asian Championships back-to-back, the Superseries Finals at the end of the year, and the All England Open, the oldest event globally. She won the silver medal in singles at the just ended Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Badminton is a sport with a very long history. Before it was termed badminton, the sport’s history dates back over 2,000 years. Badminton has a long and rich history, although the formal regulations were not formed until around 130 years ago. There was the “old” badminton and the “modern” badminton. Let’s dive into each one of them.

Old Badminton

Looking back to the 5th century B.C., the first shuttlecock game was played, having players hit the birdie with their feet. The earliest shuttlecock game was played in the 5th century B.C., with players hitting the birdie with their feet. In the 1st century B.C., Asians began playing “battledore,” The birdie is struck back and forth without striking the ground, a game that is still popular today.

Modern Badminton

Modern Badminton began in Pune, India, and was initially named ‘Poona.’ The initial pioneers of the game were British Army officers stationed there. They introduced it to the rest of Europe. In England, a building called ‘Badminton House’ hosted the first game in 1873, giving the game its name.      

A lot of names have been mentioned. However, the old official name of badminton is Poona, from which the word originated from a city in India where the sport is popular among the British army. However, because Poona is not precisely alike with today’s badminton rules, it is argued that badminton bears the old names of Poona and Battledore, and Shuttlecock.