Olympic Badminton Player Shares Insights and Feedback with Snoop Dogg

PARIS — If you’re planning to watch just 25 seconds of Olympic badminton during the Paris Games, listening to Snoop Dogg’s commentary is a solid choice.

However, for those thinking Snoop Dogg is ready for the big leagues of badminton analysis, America’s top player, Beiwen Zhang, has some thoughts and advice to share.

“He should watch more,” Zhang told USA TODAY Sports with a grin.

Snoop Dogg’s internal dialogue during a particularly intense rally made it feel like a marathon worthy of a badminton highlight reel. His quick and expert thoughts mirrored the speed and precision of the shuttlecock.

“He’s really shocked,” Zhang said, “but that’s our normal day.”

Zhang, the China-born player who became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2021, believes that any exposure for badminton, including Snoop’s NBC commentary, should be embraced.

This sentiment is why Zhang willingly shared some insights after her three-set defeat to 2016 Olympic gold medalist Carolina Marin in the round of 16.

One major challenge in badminton: wind.

Although the matches are played indoors at Porte de La Chapelle Arena, factors like vents, air conditioning units, and body heat from spectators can affect the wind current.

On Thursday, the wind current played a significant role. Zhang explained that it influenced why she won the first set 21-12 before losing the final two sets and the match, 12-21, 21-9, 21-18.

“In the first set, the wind is actually what I was planning on,” she said. “In the second set, the wind is a little different.”

Same building, same court, same day—but different moments bring different wind conditions.

“So for me, it’s a little hard to adjust,” Zhang said. “I can’t open up the four corners of the court.”

Mind games also come into play, Zhang noted, with her opponent starting to request new shuttlecocks.

“That’s her style,” Zhang said. “That’s not my type of style. My type is I let her do it.”

When asked if she’d be willing to guide Snoop Dogg through the intricacies of badminton, including the wind and mind games, Zhang hesitated with a smile.

“Oh, I don’t know,” Zhang said, expressing concern the rapper might “twist his ankles.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Olympic badminton player offers Snoop Dogg feedback, along with insights about sport.

Source: USA TODAY