Top Danish badminton star Anders Antonsen has pulled out of the ongoing India Open 2026 in New Delhi, citing “extreme” air pollution as the reason for his withdrawal—marking his third consecutive year missing the event for similar concerns, he shared on Instagram. Antonsen, currently ranked world No. 3 and a four-time World Championships medalist, pointed to hazardous air quality levels in Delhi, posting a screenshot showing the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the “hazardous” category as justification for prioritizing his health over competition.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) fined him USD 5,000 under tour rules for skipping a Super 750 event. Other players and officials have also voiced concerns about pollution and playing conditions at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, prompting debate about athlete safety and air quality whenever major sports tournaments are hosted in the city during the winter months.