World No. 2 men’s singles shuttler Anders Antonsen has revealed that extreme air pollution in Delhi was the decisive factor behind his absence from the YONEX-SUNRISE India Open 2026, marking the third straight year the Danish star has opted out of the Super 750 event.
In a candid post on his Instagram Story, Antonsen explained that current environmental conditions made it unsafe for him to compete, while also disclosing that he was fined USD 5,000 by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for withdrawing.
“Many are curious as to why I have pulled out of the India Open for the 3rd 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. Crossing my fingers that it will be better in the summer when the World Championships will take place in Delhi. As a result, BWF once again has fined me 5000 USD,” Antonsen wrote.
Antonsen’s remarks have added fuel to an already growing debate surrounding player health and environmental standards at the tournament, coming just a day after fellow Dane Mia Blichfeldt raised concerns over what she described as unhygienic training conditions at the venue.
After winning her first-round match at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, world No. 20 Blichfeldt claimed that players were exposed to dirty floors, dust, cold temperatures and even pigeon droppings in warm-up areas, stating that the situation showed little improvement from previous years. Her comments quickly went viral, sparking widespread discussion within the global badminton community.
Blichfeldt later clarified that her criticism was not aimed at the match courts, which she said were in good condition, but rather at the training and warm-up facilities, which she believes pose potential health risks and could affect player performance. She also urged the BWF to conduct a thorough review ahead of the 2026 World Championships, set to be staged in India later this year — the country’s first time hosting the event in 16 years.
In response, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) moved swiftly to defend the event’s organisation. Secretary General Sanjay Mishra stressed that Blichfeldt’s comments had been misinterpreted, noting they were directed primarily at the KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium, used for training, rather than the main competition venue at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
Mishra added that the Super 750 arena has been maintained to a high standard, describing it as clean, dirt-free and pigeon-free, while also pointing out that many players have expressed satisfaction with the playing conditions. He further noted that Blichfeldt had acknowledged her own health sensitivities as part of her concerns.
As scrutiny intensifies, the BWF has yet to issue an official response, with growing calls for clearer standards and stronger safeguards to ensure player welfare, especially with the World Championships fast approaching.
