I would like to add a catagory to this thread: the not-so-famous shuttlers, who reach QF or SF from time to time, who win the not-so-big tournaments. A few of those are pretty impressive when it comes to their resume. The trigger for this post is what this person (not sure whether it's a he or she) posts on this url (www.youtube.com/user/helma1). There you can watch about all of the top matches of all our favourites, but this one takes the time to post matches of people in this category too. So, here I go:
Wong Choong Hann (MAS): this guy was silver on the WC2003 against Xia Xuanze, a fantastic 3-setter (available on Google videos). His head to head to TH (for one) is 6-3 (yep, nothing wrong with your eyes). Has been injured and out of the circuit for quite a while, but he made it back (as an independant player !) to the very (sub)top. Beated Jorgensen in the Swiss Open 2011 and made it to the QF. In the Australian Open 2011 he lost in the final. He's probaly the only player in the circuit using Dunlop rackets.
Lee Hyun Ill (Kor): plays really smooth, a bit like TH, and always stays calm (again like TH), reaching nearly Zen-level (or so it seems). His “moment du gloire” was a bit of a nightmre for him I guess, just watch the Korean Open MS final 2008. Retired a few years ago, but came back, and too made it back to the sub top. His H2H to TH (for one) is 2-1.

Don't know why, but both are lefties (and I'm not).
Sorry for the 4 other disciplines, the MS were so obvious.
Cheers, ED

I don't really know about the playing styles of any of the former great players, so yeah..also only singles players cause I'm much more interested in singles..

Peter Gade:

My personal hero, awesome all round player but what really stands out to me is his net play and his great angles.

Taufik Hidayat:

As someone who struggles a bit with his backhand, it's evident that I'd copy this guy. Great smashing power too.

Lee Chong Wei:

His defense is just amazing, especially because he dives for a smash and then hits the winner with his next shot most of the time, so fast round the court.

Lin Dan:

Well, Super Dan is great at everything, no wonder he's won every major title.

I suppose I can't do much wrong if I just name the 4 greatest players of this era lol.

Paul said:

It's interesting to read about the players of the past and present game.

Has anybody actually analysed what made them so special they reached the top. Talent alone can never get you to the top. So, question is, what traits do they all have in common?

Paul

I think mental toughness plays a big part in all of the great players. Looking at old games with Frost or Rudy playing, these champions were almost poker faced and you couldn't really tell what was going on in their minds. There is little to divide the top three or four these days and it mostly boils down to tactical and strategic acumen, the ability to adapt to an opponent's changing tactics, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Easier said than done of course!

Paul makes an interesting comment regarding training to peak at certain times. I look at a player such as Lin Dan, for instance, who tends to be selective about the tournaments he enters. His participation is fewer than someone like LCW, but it also means that his chances (borne out from the results he has achieved thus far) of winning also seem to be higher due to his being more selective and probably more well rested in between competitions. Being able to win virtually ALL the major tournamens is no mean feat.