# Morten Frost

Morten Frost Hansen (born 4 April 1958) is a badminton player and later coach, who represented Denmark. As a player, he spent twelve years in the top three of the world rankings. After his retirement in 1991, he became director of performance for Badminton Denmark and also coaches in Malaysia and South Africa. He has been appointed Badminton Association of Malaysia's national technical director from 2015 to 2020, and later as the performance director of Badminton England.

## Badminton career

During his career, Frost won almost every available top level championship, except the World Championships where he scored a silver medal twice (1985 and 1987). When he lost his second World Championship in the finals, the headlines rang out "The World's greatest badminton player may never be World Champion." While this may be the enduring footnote to his career, Frost dominated at the much coveted All England Open Badminton Championships. He won that tournament in 1982, 1984, 1986, and 1987. He also was European champion in 1984 and 1986. He won the Nordic championship each year from 1978 through 1984 and again in 1988.
Frost is also distinguished by winning all of the invitational Grand Prix tournaments at least once, including his home country's Denmark Open, of which he was champion 1980-1986 and 1989. Morten Frost represented Denmark on the national team from 1976 to 1991, longer than anyone else.
Noted for his exceptionally smooth and fluid footwork, Frost's playing style was something of a cross between the traditional singles game featuring numerous clears (lobs) and drops, with smashes often reserved for weak returns, and the modern singles game featuring more smashing from the outset of a rally to create openings.
Morten Frost was inducted into the BWF Badminton Hall of Fame in 1998.

### Coaching career

After his playing years were over, he went on to successfully coach the Danish national team. During his tenure as coach, the Danish national squad achieved over 20 major international wins, including an Olympic gold medal in 1996, six gold medals and three silver medals at the European Championships in 1996, the men's singles titles at the 1995 and 1996 All England Championships, and a gold, two silver and four bronze medals at the World Championships in 1995. He later coached the national teams of Malaysia and South Africa. Frost also worked as a commentator on the BBC's TV coverage of the badminton tournament at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
In 2015, Frost accepted a contract to be technical director of the Malaysian national team until the end of 2020. Early 2017, Frost had a fallout with Malaysian former world number 1 player Lee Chong Wei regarding what Lee considered unfair treatment towards him after an injury. In September 2017, Frost resigned from his position in Malaysia, citing personal reasons.
In February 2019, Frost signed a one-year contract to coach India's junior players at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy.
In 2020, Frost has been appointed as the performance director of Badminton England.

## Achievements
### World Championships

Men's singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1985 | Olympic Saddledome, Calgary, Canada | Han Jian | 18–14, 10–15, 8–15 | Silver |
| 1987 | Capital Indoor Stadium, Beijing, China | Yang Yang | 2–15, 15–13, 12–15 | Silver |

### World Cup

Men's singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1985 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | Icuk Sugiarto | 11–15, 15–8, 4–15 | Silver |
| 1986 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | Icuk Sugiarto | 15–5, 6–15, 11–15 | Silver |
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1983 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Jens Peter Nierhoff | Bobby Ertanto Christian Hadinata | 11–15, 15–4, 13–15 | Bronze |

### World Games

Men's singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1981 | San Jose Civic Auditorium, California, United States | Chen Changjie | 15–9, 7–15, 12–15 | Silver |

### European Championships

Men's singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1980 | Martinihal, Groningen, Netherlands | Flemming Delfs | 4–15, 15–1, 14–17 | Silver |
| 1984 | Guild Hall, Preston, England | Jens Peter Nierhoff | 15–8, 15–2 | Gold |
| 1986 | Fyrishallen, Uppsala, Sweden | Ib Frederiksen | 15–8, 15–2 | Gold |
| 1988 | Badmintonsenteret, Kristiansand, Norway | Darren Hall | 15–8, 12–15, 9–15 | Silver |
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1984 | Guild Hall, Preston, England | Jens Peter Nierhoff | Martin Dew Mike Tredgett | 8–15, 10–15 | Silver |

### European Junior Championships

Boys' singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1975 | Copenhagen, Denmark | Bruno Wackfelt | 15–18, 2–15 | Silver |

### IBF World Grand Prix (32 titles, 12 runners-up)

The World Badminton Grand Prix sanctioned by International Badminton Federation (IBF) from 1983 to 2006.
Men's singles
| Year | Tournament | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1983 | Swedish Open | Misbun Sidek | 15–9, 10–15, 13–15 | Runner-up |
| 1983 | All England Open | Luan Jin | 2–15, 15–12, 4–15 | Runner-up |
| 1983 | Scandinavian Open | Prakash Padukone | 18–17, 15–2 | Winner |
| 1983 | World Grand Prix Finals | Luan Jin | 2–15, 6–15 | Runner-up |
| 1984 | Chinese Taipei Open | Hastomo Arbi | 15–11, 15–7 | Winner |
| 1984 | Japan Open | Liem Swie King | 15–1, 18–15 | Winner |
| 1984 | Scottish Open | Kevin Jolly | 15–11, 15–2 | Winner |
| 1984 | Denmark Open | Jens Peter Nierhoff | 15–1, 15–2 | Winner |
| 1984 | All England Open | Liem Swie King | 9–15, 15–10, 15–10 | Winner |
| 1984 | Malaysia Open | Icuk Sugiarto | 9–15, 4–15 | Runner-up |
| 1984 | Scandinavian Open | Han Jian | 15–10, 15–9 | Winner |
| 1984 | World Grand Prix Finals | Liem Swie King | 15–5, 15–4 | Winner |
| 1985 | Hong Kong Open | Yang Yang | 10–15, 11–15 | Runner-up |
| 1985 | Denmark Open | Sung Han-kuk | 15–4, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1985 | All England Open | Zhao Jianhua | 15–6, 10–15, 15–18 | Runner-up |
| 1985 | English Masters | Steve Baddeley | 15–12, 11–15, 15–11 | Winner |
| 1985 | Malaysia Masters | Misbun Sidek | 15–4, 15–7 | Winner |
| 1985 | Scandinavian Open | Lius Pongoh | 15–5, 15–8 | Winner |
| 1986 | German Open | Michael Kjeldsen | 15–4, 15–3 | Winner |
| 1986 | Scandinavian Open | Torben Carlsen | 15–5, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1986 | All England Open | Misbun Sidek | 15–2, 15–8 | Winner |
| 1986 | Denmark Open | Michael Kjeldsen | 15–9, 15–10 | Winner |
| 1986 | English Masters | Sze Yu | 15–8, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1986 | World Grand Prix Finals | Yang Yang | 13–18, 8–15 | Runner-up |
| 1987 | Poona Open | Jens Peter Nierhoff | 15–11, 15–11 | Winner |
| 1987 | All England Open | Icuk Sugiarto | 15–10, 15–0 | Winner |
| 1987 | English Masters | Steve Baddeley | 18–13, 15–18, 15–12 | Winner |
| 1988 | Poona Open | Ib Frederiksen | 15–10, 15–9 | Winner |
| 1988 | German Open | Xiong Guobao | 15–4, 15–6 | Winner |
| 1988 | All England Open | Ib Frederiksen | 15–8, 7–15, 10–15 | Runner-up |
| 1988 | French Open | Icuk Sugiarto | 10–15, 15–6, 2–15 | Runner-up |
| 1988 | English Masters | Ardy Wiranata | 15–8, 15–8 | Winner |
| 1988 | Scottish Open | Nick Yates | 15–7, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1989 | Chinese Taipei Open | Eddy Kurniawan | 15–12, 15–3 | Winner |
| 1989 | Swedish Open | Alan Budikusuma | 15–4, 15–4 | Winner |
| 1989 | All England Open | Yang Yang | 6–15, 7–15 | Runner-up |
| 1989 | German Open | Steve Baddeley | 15–6, 15–4 | Winner |
| 1989 | Denmark Open | Zhao Jianhua | 15–12, 15–13 | Winner |
| 1989 | Scottish Open | Jens Peter Nierhoff | 15–2, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1990 | Finnish Open | Hermawan Susanto | 15–13, 4–15, 15–9 | Winner |
| 1990 | Japan Open | Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen | 15–9, 15–4 | Winner |
| 1990 | Denmark Open | Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen | 15–4, 10–15, 15–17 | Runner-up |
Men's doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1984 | Scottish Open | Jesper Helledie | Duncan Bridge Nigel Tier | 15–11, 15–11 | Winner |
| 1984 | Denmark Open | Jens Peter Nierhoff | Li Yongbo Tian Bingyi | 7–15, 2–15 | Runner-up |

### IBF International

Men's singles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Score | Result |
| 1977 | USSR International | | | Winner |
| 1977 | Norwegian International | Thomas Angarth | 15–2, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1978 | Nordic Championships | Flemming Delfs | 5–15, 15–6, 15–4 | Winner |
| 1979 | Dutch Open | Flemming Delfs | 6–15, 15–3, 15–16 | Runner-up |
| 1979 | Denmark Open | Flemming Delfs | 7–15, 7–15 | Runner-up |
| 1979 | English Masters | Prakash Padukone | 4–15, 11–15 | Runner-up |
| 1979 | Canadian Open | Flemming Delfs | 15–7, 14–17, 15–7 | Winner |
| 1979 | Randers Open | Flemming Delfs | 10–15, 15–18 | Runner-up |
| 1979 | Nordic Championships | Flemming Delfs | 15–6, 15–4 | Winner |
| 1980 | Copenhagen Cup | Prakash Padukone | 15–8, 10–15, 15–9 | Winner |
| 1980 | Denmark Open | Prakash Padukone | 7–15, 13–18 | Runner-up |
| 1980 | Canadian Open | Steen Fladberg | 15–7, 15–11 | Winner |
| 1980 | Nordic Championships | Thomas Kihlström | 15–4, 15–7 | Winner |
| 1981 | Denmark Open | Prakash Padukone | 15–7, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1981 | Swedish Open | Lius Pongoh | 14–18, 13–15 | Runner-up |
| 1981 | Scandinavian Cup | Prakash Padukone | 15–4, 15–11 | Winner |
| 1981 | Nordic Championships | Flemming Delfs | 18–17, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1982 | Scottish Open | Flemming Delfs | 15–4, 15–2 | Winner |
| 1982 | German Open | Jens Peter Nierhoff | 15–12, 13–15, 15–8 | Winner |
| 1982 | Denmark Open | Prakash Padukone | 15–7, 15–8 | Winner |
| 1982 | All England Open | Luan Jin | 11–15, 15–2, 15–7 | Winner |
| 1982 | Nordic Championships | Jens Peter Nierhoff | 15–2, 15–6 | Winner |
| 1982 | Scandinavian Cup | Prakash Padukone | 15–3, 15–4 | Winner |
| 1983 | Scottish Open | Kevin Jolly | 15–2, 15–6 | Winner |
| 1983 | Dutch Open | Prakash Padukone | 15–11, 15–4 | Winner |
| 1983 | Denmark Open | | | Winner |
| 1983 | Nordic Championships | Michael Kjeldsen | 10–15, 15–12, 15–1 | Winner |
| 1983 | India Masters | Prakash Padukone | 15–7, 15–13 | Winner |
| 1984 | English Masters | Han Jian | 15–8, 18–15 | Winner |
| 1984 | Dutch Masters | Han Jian | 9–15, 14–18 | Runner-up |
| 1984 | Nordic Championships | Jens Peter Nierhoff | 17–14, 15–6 | Winner |
| 1984 | Scottish Open | Zhao Jianhua | 12–15, 15–8, 9–15 | Runner-up |
| 1984 | Welsh International | Darren Hall | 15–2, 15–6 | Winner |
| 1985 | Malaysia Masters | Misbun Sidek | 15–4, 15–7 | Winner |
| 1986 | Bell's Open | Ib Frederiksen | 15–6, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1983 | Nordic Championships | Michael Kjeldsen | 12–15, 9–15 | Runner-up |
| 1988 | Nordic Championships | Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen | 15–6, 15–6 | Winner |
Men's doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1976 | Czechoslovakian International | Steen Fladberg | Wolfgang Bochow Roland Maywald | | Runner-up |
| 1977 | USSR International | Steen Skovgaard | | | Winner |
| 1977 | Norwegian International | Mogens Neergaard | Ola Eriksson Christian Lundberg | 9–15, 6–15 | Runner-up |
| 1979 | Swedish Open | Steen Fladberg | Flemming Delfs Steen Skovgaard | 12–15, 15–12, 10–15 | Runner-up |
| 1979 | Dutch Open | Steen Fladberg | Elliot Stuart Derek Talbot | 8–15, 17–18 | Runner-up |
| 1979 | Canadian Open | Flemming Delfs | Ade Chandra Christian Hadinata | 5–15, 1–15 | Runner-up |
| 1980 | Copenhagen Cup | Steen Fladberg | Flemming Delfs Steen Skovgaard | 8–15, 6–15 | Runner-up |
| 1980 | Nordic Championships | Steen Fladberg | Claes Nordin Lars Wengberg | 3–15, 15–3, 15–11 | Winner |
| 1981 | Nordic Championships | Steen Fladberg | Flemming Delfs Steen Skovgaard | 15–9, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1981 | Scandinavian Cup | Steen Fladberg | Luan Jin Lin Jiangli | 11–15, 15–6, 12–15 | Runner-up |
| 1982 | German Open | Steen Fladberg | Jiang Guoliang He Shangquan | 15–5, 15–6 | Winner |
| 1982 | Nordic Championships | Steen Fladberg | Jesper Helledie Steen Skovgaard | 15–6, 15–18, 15–6 | Winner |
| 1983 | Nordic Championships | Jens Peter Nierhoff | Stefan Karlsson Thomas Kihlström | 12–15, 15–17 | Runner-up |
| 1984 | English Masters | Jens Peter Nierhoff | Hadibowo Christian Hadinata | 3–15, 3–15 | Runner-up |
| 1984 | Scottish Open | Jens Peter Nierhoff | Andy Goode Nigel Tier | 12–15, 15–8, 9–15 | Runner-up |
| 1984 | Welsh International | Martin Dew | Billy Gilliland Dan Travers | 8–15, 15–18 | Runner-up |
| 1986 | Nordic Championships | Steen Fladberg | Jan-Eric Antonsson Pär-Gunnar Jönsson | 15–10, 15–12 | Winner |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1977 | Norwegian International | Pia Nielsen | Mogens Neergaard Inge Borgstrøm | 6–15, 3–15 | Runner-up |
| 1981 | English Masters | Lene Køppen | Mike Tredgett Nora Perry | 5–15, 6–15 | Runner-up |
| 1982 | Scottish Open | Lene Køppen | Billy Gilliland Gillian Gilks | 13–18, 9–15 | Runner-up |
| 1983 | Scottish Open | Nettie Nielsen | Rob Ridder Marjan Ridder | 15–9, 6–15, 15–12 | Winner |

## Quotes

* "Jeg hader at tabe mere end de fleste. Jeg har en vilje til at vinde HVER gang!" - Morten Frost
* "I hate to lose more than most. I have the will to win EVERY time!" - Morten Frost (translation of above)
* "He used to give international players in England a 14-0 start. And if they won, the bet was they would take the money. And most of the players would take the bet, but they made very little money. After that they found they couldn't win, so they never took the bet. But that's how you train not to make errors." - Tom John on Morten Frost