In a sentence

He was the only foreign player Chinese fans loved as one of their own, and the sport’s first men’s Grand Slam winner.

Playing style

  • An enormous range of serves and returns that left opponents without a rhythm from start to finish
  • World-class touch; his handling of short balls is still taught as a model
  • Exceptional tactical awareness, winning through placement and rhythm rather than pure power

Career and key moments

He won men’s singles at the World Championships twice, in Dortmund in 1989 and Manchester in 1997; he won the men’s singles World Cup in 1990; and at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics he took gold to become the first men’s Grand Slam winner — also Sweden’s first Olympic gold. In 1989, 1991, 1993 and 2000 he led Sweden to the men’s team world title four times, ending China’s period of dominance with his own hands. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, aged 35, he won men’s singles silver again. He did not retire formally until he was 50.

What he left the game

His style was a successful blend of the European loop and Chinese speed, and for China’s men’s team he was a benchmark they had to clear through the hardest years. To Chinese fans, he was probably the only opponent applauded whether he won or lost.

In a sentence: The strongest rival is often the one who makes your sport better.