Anders Antonsen happy with Worlds prep, could miss India Open due to pollution

Antonsen has cited air pollution as the reason for his withdrawal at India Open 2026 and paid a mandatory $5000 fine after missing the tournament.

When asked if he will comeback for the India Open next year, Antonsen said he won’t mind paying the $5000 fine if the tournament is held from January to March.

“Every year, when I see the calendar, I am like, okay, they are just instantly giving me a $5,000 fine. I don’t know if next year will be the same. I haven’t really decided 100% yet,” he said.

He further said that it’s not right to host the India Open in the pollution season. “The pollution during that season is pretty insane. I don’t think it is the right move for the BWF to host the tournament in January or February in Delhi. Hosted this time around, it seems much better from my perspective,” said Antonsen.

In 2018, Antonsen had spoken about how he suffered from debilitating bouts of migraine early in his career, a condition that can get triggered by pollution. “I got the migraine attacks for six to seven hours, throwing up and puking. If I got it on Monday, then I couldn’t practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. I’d start playing a little on Thursday. It just took me out many times when I had the chance to build my game and physique,” he had described back then. It makes him cautious.

Antonsen, who is World no 4, is set to feature in the men’s singles category and will be Denmark’s medal prospect in absence of former World Champion Viktor Axelsen.

“No, I don’t feel any additional pressure. The only pressure I feel is the pressure coming from within. I hold myself to high standards and I want to win and claim the biggest titles,” Antonsen said.