Anders Antonsen revealed that concerns over air pollution were behind his decision to withdraw from the India Open in New Delhi.
The world number three was one of the notable absentees at the Super 750 event, making it the third year in a row he skipped the tournament.
However, unlike others who were unavailable due to injuries or illness, he cited poor air quality as the primary reason for his absence.
“Many are curious to why I have pulled out of the India Open for the third consecutive year,” he wrote on an Instagram Story on Wednesday.
“Due to the extreme pollution in Delhi at the moment, I don’t think it’s a place to host a badminton tournament.
“Crossing my fingers that it will be better in the summer when the World Championships will take place in Delhi.”
The 28-year-old also revealed that he was fined US$5,000 by the Badminton World Federation for his withdrawal.
Antonsen, who began his 2026 BWF World Tour season with a defeat to China’s Shi Yu Qi in the Malaysia Open semi-finals, is currently scheduled to return to action at next week’s Indonesia Masters.
