World No. 3 badminton player Anders Antonsen has withdrawn from the ongoing India Open Super 750 tournament, citing severe air pollution in Delhi as the reason for his decision. The Danish shuttler later confirmed that the Badminton World Federation (BWF) has fined him USD 5,000 for the withdrawal.
The four-time World Championships medallist addressed the issue publicly on Wednesday, explaining that health concerns influenced his decision to skip the tournament for the third consecutive year.
‘Not a Place to Host a Tournament Right Now’
Taking to Instagram, Antonsen said the current pollution levels in the national capital made it difficult for him to compete safely.
“Many are curious why I have pulled out of the India Open for the third consecutive year. Due to the extreme pollution in Delhi at the moment, I don’t think it’s a place to host a badminton tournament,” he wrote. He added that he hopes conditions improve ahead of the World Championships, scheduled to be held in Delhi later this year.
Antonsen also confirmed that the BWF had imposed a fine of USD 5,000 for his absence from the tournament.
BWF Rules on Mandatory Participation
Under BWF regulations, Top Committed Players—the top 15 singles players and top 10 doubles pairs—are required to participate in World Tour 750, World Tour 1000 events and the World Tour Finals, unless they have a valid medical or injury exemption. Players who withdraw without an approved reason are subject to financial penalties in addition to standard late withdrawal fees.
While exemptions exist for skipping on-court participation, players may still be required to attend promotional activities. World No. 1 Shi Yuqi, for instance, withdrew from the India Open but briefly visited Delhi to fulfil promotional commitments.
Concerns Over Playing Conditions
The India Open has faced criticism over player conditions in recent days. Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt previously described the venue environment as “unhealthy,” raising concerns about hygiene and air quality.
“I had hoped it would be better, but it is still very dirty and unhealthy for players,” she said, citing issues such as dust and birds inside the stadium.
Delhi Air Quality Remains Poor
Air pollution levels in Delhi have worsened in recent days, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) entering the severe category in several areas. Most parts of the city have reported AQI readings above 300, raising health concerns for residents and visiting athletes alike.
