Cover image via Twitter @Khairykj / AFPThere's nothing quite like watching Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan battle it out on the badminton court. Sadly, with the former having announced his retirement, we will never again bear witness to the duo's fiery matches on the public stage.
Image via New Straits Times
Despite their fierce rivalry across the net, the star shuttlers are actually pretty close friends off-court. Just look at these super cute pictures we found of their pure friendship:
1. From their first meeting at the 2000 Asian Junior Championships in Kyoto
Image via Twitter @Khairykj
The 2000 Asian Junior Championships was also then 18-year-old Lee's first international tournament.
2. Teaming up for a friendly doubles match in 2014
Image via CNTV
3. Sometimes, they'd exchange jerseys after a match
Image via Reuters
4. Like at the 2016 Rio Olympics semi-final…
Image via Badminton Becky
5. Then they'd hug. Ugh, cute.
6. "Bro"
Image via Aiya They Didn't Livejournal
7. "What bro"
Image via Badzine
8. "Tell the whole world we're bros"
Image via Reuters
9. \whispers\ "We're bros."
Image via Twitter @ngehkooham
10. "Why'd you whisper, bro?"
Image via AFP
11. "Because you're my whole world, bro."
Lin Dan checking on Lee Chong Wei when the latter suffered leg cramps in the 2013 World Championships.
Image via Reuters
11. "b r o"
Image via Badmintonfreak
