Overview
- World No. 3 Anders Antonsen pulled out for a third straight year, citing hazardous air quality in Delhi and saying BWF fined him $5,000 for the withdrawal.
- Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt said warm-up and training areas were dirty with bird droppings and cold, adding she was happy with court play but not the health conditions.
- BAI countered that her complaints concerned the KD Jadhav training hall, asserting the main Indira Gandhi competition arena is clean, dirt-free and pigeon-free.
- BAI said additional heaters were installed and promised to work with BWF on any fixes before August’s World Championships, while BWF has not issued a public response.
- Indian players including Kidambi Srikanth downplayed the criticisms, as the India Open’s move to the larger Indira Gandhi venue serves as a formal test event for August.