Lin Dan Opens Badminton-Themed Coffee Shop in Beijing

When you walk into a coffee shop themed around your favorite sport, you’re not just looking for caffeine—you want a place that understands your passion. For badminton fans, that dream just became real in Beijing, where retired Olympic champion Lin Dan has opened a café that blends his athletic legacy with specialty coffee culture.

Yes, badminton superstar Lin Dan has officially opened a badminton-themed coffee shop in central Beijing. At the launch, he served coffee himself, wearing an apron and crafting drinks with latte art in the shape of a shuttlecock.

From Court to Café

The café isn’t just a random side project. Lin Dan’s wife, former women’s badminton world champion Xie Xingfang, had long talked about opening a coffee shop with him—one that would display their competition photos and maybe even go global. That vision is now a reality, located in downtown Beijing.

Lin Dan and Xie Xingfang both attended the grand opening. Lin surprised fans by taking on barista duties, donning an apron to personally prepare coffee. The highlight? His latte art featured the unmistakable silhouette of a badminton shuttlecock.

Coffee Shop and Comeback Season

Lin Dan is set to return to competitive badminton at the Changzhou Masters on May 15, after nearly a year off the circuit. His world ranking has dropped outside the top 100, so tournament points are a priority. But he insists running a café won’t interfere with training—or his plans to expand.

Despite stepping back from the sport temporarily, Lin remains focused on his comeback. He aims to play enough events this year to climb the rankings. At the same time, he’s already thinking big for the café, hoping to open branches across China to give fans a space to connect over coffee and badminton.

The World Championship Wildcard Question

During the café launch, Lin Dan avoided discussing the highly anticipated wildcard for the 2023 BWF World Championships in Copenhagen. The Chinese national team applied for a men’s singles wildcard on his behalf, but as of the café’s opening, the Badminton World Federation had not yet announced a decision.

While fans are eager to see him compete on the world stage again, Lin kept the focus on the café and his return to professional play. The wildcard remains pending, adding another layer of anticipation to his comeback season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Lin Dan’s badminton-themed coffee shop located?

Lin Dan’s badminton-themed café is located in central Beijing. The exact address wasn’t disclosed in the report, but it’s described as being in the city center, making it easily accessible for both locals and visitors.

Did Lin Dan serve coffee at the opening?

Yes, Lin Dan personally served coffee at the café’s opening. He wore an apron and prepared drinks for customers, including latte art shaped like a badminton shuttlecock.

What is Lin Dan’s current world ranking?

Lin Dan’s world ranking has fallen to outside the top 100 due to his absence from major competitions over the past year. He is scheduled to return at the Changzhou Masters on May 15.

Will there be more cafés like this?

Yes, Lin Dan has expressed plans to open additional branches of the café across China. His goal is to create a network of fan spaces where people can gather to enjoy coffee and talk about badminton.

Is Lin Dan playing in the World Championships this year?

The Badminton World Federation has not yet confirmed whether Lin Dan will receive a wildcard to play in the 2023 World Championships in Copenhagen. The Chinese team applied for the wildcard, but no decision has been announced.

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