Hazardous air quality in New Delhi has once again forced world No. 3 Anders Antonsen to withdraw from the India Open, marking the third straight year the Danish star has skipped the tournament due to pollution concerns.
Antonsen’s decision triggered a US$5,000 fine from the Badminton World Federation (BWF), but the 28-year-old insisted the extreme conditions made the city unsuitable for hosting an elite-level event.
“Crossing my fingers that it will be better in the summer when the World Championships will take place in New Delhi,” Antonsen wrote in a social media post.
His withdrawal is a major setback for the Super 750 tournament, which got underway on Tuesday at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex.
Despite the penalty imposed by the BWF, air pollution remains a recurring problem in the Indian capital, particularly during the winter months when air quality frequently reaches dangerous levels.
Antonsen is not alone in voicing concerns. Fellow Dane Mia Blichfeldt has also criticised the unhealthy playing conditions at the venue in the past, although her claims were dismissed by the Badminton Association of India.
