China's Olympic badminton champion Lin Dan was subjected to boos and jeers on Sunday after the sport's golden boy was forced to withdraw from the Singapore Open final due to illness.
The 27-year-old, who also skipped a news conference earlier in the week, had been due to play countryman Chen Jin in the final but pulled out after being diagnosed with gastroenteritis by the tournament's doctor.
Some 7,000 fans who had turned up at Singapore's Indoor Stadium to see "Super Dan" vented their frustration at his withdrawal.
"I felt very unwell after I went to bed. This morning I still didn't feel very well so I went to the tournament office and consulted the team doctor," Lin told a news conference.
"I can understand how the spectators feel, as the week went on I have had more and more people cheering for me. I can empathise with them as I have a lot of supporters in Singapore."
Tournament referee Ernest Robinson confirmed that Lin had pulled out due to gastroenteritis and that Chen Jin had been awarded the title on a walkover.
In the women's final, China's Wang Xin defeated Denmark's Tine Baun 21-19 21-17.
