‘Motherly coaching’ key to US badminton teen’s shock world championships run

World No 92 Garret Tan upset Lakshya Sen with backing from all-woman coaching team, before falling to ruthless No 2 seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn

American teenager Garret Tan, who pulled off a major upset at the ongoing world badminton championships, is backed by an all-woman coaching team that provides “motherly and big sister support” to the rising star.

The 18-year-old world No 92 stunned India’s 14th-ranked Lakshya Sen on Wednesday, holding his nerve in front of a noisy and partisan crowd to recover from one game down and win the round-two match 2-1 at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

Tan could not repeat the trick in his third-round clash with Kunlavut Vitidsarn on Thursday, the Thai No 2 seed, an Olympic silver medallist in 2024, easing past the surprise package in straight games.

In his corner, Tan has an unusual support staff, led by United States team manager Paula Lynn and women’s doubles player Lauren Lam.

“Every guy, I think, needs motherly coaching and a big sister support,” Lynn, 41, told reporters.

“His mum was also there [in the stands]. He’s obviously tough as a player … but he needs, you know … the lady talk.”