Two-time world champion Viktor Axelsen has proposed an extension of the duration for Super 1000 tournaments on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) calendar, drawing inspiration from recent changes in the tennis world. The Danish badminton star, who is also a two-time Olympic gold medallist, made this suggestion after observing that major tennis tournaments, such as the US Open, have extended their schedules to accommodate player recovery and enhance fan engagement.
The US Open, one of tennis’s four Grand Slam events, has traditionally been held over 14 days. However, starting this year, the tournament will run for 15 days, from August 24 to September 7. This change follows similar adjustments made by the Australian Open and Roland Garros (French Open), which have also extended their schedules. Wimbledon now remains the only Grand Slam event still played over the traditional 14-day period. Axelsen sees this as an opportunity for badminton to follow suit, particularly for its most prestigious tournaments.
In badminton, the BWF World Tour features four Super 1000 events, which are considered the sport’s equivalent of tennis’s Grand Slams. These tournaments—the Malaysia Open, All England Open, Indonesia Open, and China Open—are the pinnacle of the badminton calendar, attracting the world’s top players and generating significant global interest. However, Axelsen believes that the current format of these tournaments, which typically last six to seven days, does not adequately distinguish them from lower-tier events like the Super 500 tournaments.
“The All England and other Super 1000 tournaments could run for 10 days or more,” Axelsen suggested. “It would give players an extra one or two rest days, create more hype around the matches, and provide more opportunities for media and fans to interact with the players.” He emphasized that extending the duration of these events would not only benefit the athletes by allowing them more time to recover between matches but also enhance the overall spectacle for fans and media.
Currently, the tightly packed schedule of badminton tournaments leaves little room for players to recuperate or engage with their supporters. For instance, the Malaysia Open, a Super 1000 event that kicks off the BWF World Tour season, is scheduled to run for just six days. Once the tournament concludes, players have only two days to travel to New Delhi for the India Open, which begins shortly after. The following week, many of these players must then head to Jakarta for the Indonesia Masters. Some are even competing at the Thailand Masters this week, highlighting the grueling nature of the badminton calendar.
Axelsen’s proposal aims to address these challenges by creating a more balanced schedule that prioritizes player well-being while also elevating the status of Super 1000 tournaments. By extending these events to 10 days or more, players would have additional rest days, reducing the physical and mental strain of back-to-back competitions. Moreover, a longer tournament period would allow for more build-up and anticipation, generating greater excitement among fans and providing more opportunities for media coverage and player interaction.
The Danish shuttler’s suggestion comes at a time when the sport is growing in popularity worldwide, with increasing viewership and sponsorship deals. By aligning the format of Super 1000 tournaments more closely with that of tennis’s Grand Slams, badminton could further solidify its position as a major global sport. Axelsen’s vision is not just about extending the duration of tournaments but also about creating a more sustainable and engaging environment for players, fans, and stakeholders alike.
In conclusion, Viktor Axelsen’s call for longer Super 1000 tournaments reflects his commitment to improving the sport for both players and fans. By drawing parallels with tennis and its successful Grand Slam model, he highlights the potential for badminton to enhance its most prestigious events. Whether the BWF will adopt his proposal remains to be seen, but it is clear that Axelsen’s ideas could pave the way for a more dynamic and player-friendly future for the sport.