Emms praises partner
Gail Emms says former doubles partner Nathan Robertson is the best British badminton player ever.
Last Updated: 23/04/12 5:12pm
Gail Emms says her former doubles partner Nathan Robertson will still be known as Britain's best ever badminton player even if he misses out on London 2012.
Robertson and Emms famously won mixed doubles silver with Emms in Athens in 2004, and while Emms called time on her career Robertson remained on court.
Things have not gone so well though for the 34-year-old with his new partner Jenny Wallwork, and he looks set to agonisingly miss out on London 2012 selection.
The emergence of rivals Chris Adcock and Imogen Bankier could end Robertson's dream, as they have taken over as the nation's top pair.
Defeat to Adcock and Bankier in the European Championship quarter-finals in Sweden last week all but ended Robertson's dream, but Emms feels he should still look back with pride.
Best ever
"It is a shame because he is, for me, GB's best ever badminton player," said Emms "His career has been fantastic and he is one of my most favourite people. We have gone through so much together.
"I know how much he wanted to finish his career in London and it does look as though that is not going to be the case.
"He is going to be gutted - absolutely gutted - but that shouldn't detract from the fact he has been such an amazing badminton ambassador for this country."
After Emms' retirement, Robertson took the decision to play on and work his way back up the world rankings with a new partner.
He later stopped playing men's doubles to focus fully on mixed ahead of London 2012.
No regrets
It looks like his plans will not come to fruition and his own retirement may now come earlier than planned, but Emms does not think he will regret the past four years.
"He is the sort of person that doesn't regret anything," she added. "He goes out and learns from everything and that is the most important thing.
"He went for it - fair play to him for going for it. The challenge was to compete for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics. He took it on and it didn't work out, but it was brave of him to do it."
Emms was speaking at the National Schools Badminton Championships finals, which were held at Sherwood Forest Center Parcs in Nottingham.
"I am really passionate about school sport - not just badminton - but it is great to see that badminton is still going strong in schools.
"We just need to build on it. We want children to be inspired by watching our Olympic athletes going out there and winning gold medals."
