China's badminton legend Lin Dan announced his retirement on Saturday. 

"From 2000 to 2020, it's been twenty years since I joined the Chinese national team. Now, I am saying good-bye," the two-time Olympic champion announced on Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media platform.

He said he was excited and proud when he joined China's badminton national team in 2000 and became a national team player. He thanked his family, coaches, teammates and fans for accompanying him through the ups and carrying him up through the downs. 

Not only is he a badminton legend in China, but also one of the country's most iconic sports figures from the past two decades. Lin captivated many with his unyielding spirit, persistence and fight on the court. 

"In every jump smash lies my eagerness for victory," Lin said in his goodbye note. "I have never considered hanging up the racket during my professional career which spanned four Olympics. I have devoted everything to the sport I love." 

A 20-year professional badminton career is impressively long. Lin always reminded himself to "persist" during every tough moment and hoped he could extend his career even longer. 

"In comparison to purely pursuing the rankings when I was young, I want to challenge my physical extreme in the recent years – to carry out the unyielding sports spirit."

However, Lin had to call it a day, although it was a hard decision for him. 

"My physical condition and injuries won't let me fight with my teammates anymore," he said. "In the days ahead, I hope to spend more time with my family and go seek the next arena."

Lin won the badminton men's singles gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and defended the title at the 2012 London Olympics. He is a five-time world champion and has helped the Chinese team win six Thomas Cups and five Sudirman Cups. 

"I am looking forward to hearing the Chinese national anthem playing repeatedly and seeing more old looks and fresh faces make it to the podium," he said. "No one can stay young forever, but there are always young people out there, being passionate and fighting forward."

Great rivalry, great respect

Over Lin's two-decade-long career, he had many great rivalries. When he started out, it was him challenging his rivals over the net. As time passed by, they stepped up to challenge him. Whatever the case, their play and competition has left shimmering moments in badminton history. 

Among Lin's great rivalries was Indonesian badminton legend Taufik Hidayat. Only two years sernior than Lin, Taufik was already well-established as Lin was rising to fame. 

At the 2005 World Badminton Championship, Taufik beat Lin in the final for his first world championship title. He defeated Lin again at the 2006 Doha Asian Games. Though seldom facing off each other in any major events that followed, Taufik's dominance in the early stage of Lin's career motivated the Chinese ace to be humble, focused and play unreservedly. 

"I feel very lucky to meet such a competitor like Taufik," recall Lin. "He is a player with great air. He has experienced a lot and won many championships. His strength not only gets demonstrated on the technical side, but also he has the ability to control everything on the court."

Lin's rivalry and friendship with Malaysian legend Lee Chong Wei was considered by many fans as the greatest of all time. They confronted each other at the Olympics men's singles final in 2008 in Beijing when Lin spared no effort to win. Four years later at the 2012 London Olympics, they faced off again in the final and Lin edged Lee by two points in the decisive game to become the first ever defending Olympic badminton men's singles champion. 

Lee defeated Lin at the 2016 Rio Olympics but failed to claim the gold medal in the final. He announced his retirement last year. 

Learning the news of Lin's retirement, Lee wrote on Weibo, "Please believe that all the laughter, tears and promises are an unforgettable diary. My greatest opponent. Proud of you."