Danish shuttler Anders Antonsen has voiced considerable dissatisfaction with the recurring scheduling of the India Open in New Delhi during February. He specifically highlighted the “pretty insane” pollution levels prevalent in the city during that period, expressing his dismay at the tournament being slotted into the same problematic timeframe again.
Antonsen, currently participating in the BWF World Championships, has conspicuously avoided playing in India for the past three years. This year, his strong objection to the February timing for the India Open led him to forgo the tournament and incur a significant $5,000 fine for his absence. He articulated his frustration, noting that the BWF’s policy of imposing fines for skipping Super 750 or higher-level events often results in him anticipating an automatic penalty each year when reviewing the calendar. While he hasn’t definitively decided about next year’s participation, his current stance remains one of strong disapproval.
He elaborated on his concerns regarding the environmental conditions, emphasizing that hosting a major tournament in Delhi during January or February is, in his opinion, an ill-advised decision by the BWF due to the severe air pollution. In stark contrast, he observed that the conditions during the ongoing World Championships are considerably more favorable and manageable from his perspective.
The upcoming India Open is a fixture in the BWF’s new calendar and is slated for February. Antonsen acknowledged that the severity of pollution in Delhi can vary significantly from season to season, yet he maintained that generally, the conditions during that specific period are “pretty crazy.” He noted that while the current air quality during the World Championships is acceptable to him, he has personally experienced far worse air pollution in Delhi in the past. He also commended the quality of the playing hall and practice facilities at the current event.
As one of the prominent contenders in the men’s singles category at the World Championships, Antonsen carries the momentum of a recent Thailand Open victory. He harbors aspirations of securing his inaugural World Championships gold medal, an achievement that would complete his collection after previously earning three bronze and one silver medal. However, he recognizes the formidable challenge ahead in an increasingly unpredictable men’s singles field. To achieve this ultimate goal, he believes he must deliver his absolute peak performance, potentially even surpassing his previous best, and also rely on a considerable amount of luck given the current intense competition within the badminton circuit.
