Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen has withdrawn from the upcoming Malaysia Masters 2024, a significant Super 500 event on the BWF World Tour Circuit. The tournament is scheduled to run from May 21-26 at the Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur.
This development follows Sen’s impressive performance at the recent Thomas Cup, where he secured three wins in four matches, including a notable victory over reigning Asian Games champion Li Shifeng of China.
At 22, Sen has already secured his spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics along with compatriot HS Prannoy in the men’s singles category. However, the reasons behind Sen’s withdrawal from the Malaysia Masters remain undisclosed as neither the player nor the Badminton Association of India (BAI) has released an official statement.
Sen is not the only prominent Indian player to pull out of this key tournament. Kidambi Srikanth, also a member of the Thomas Cup team, has withdrawn. Srikanth’s absence is particularly poignant as he failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics, a development that has disappointed many Indian badminton enthusiasts. Other notable withdrawals include Priyanshu Rajawat, Sameer Verma, and the men’s doubles duo of M.R. Arjun and Dhruv Kapila.
While Indian fans may face disappointment, the Malaysia Masters will not lack star power. World No. 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark, seeking to end his recent title drought, headlines a stellar cast of top 10 players who have registered for the tournament.
This list includes Jonatan Christie (No. 3) and Anthony Sinisuka Ginting (No. 7) from Indonesia, Anders Antonsen (No. 4) of Denmark, China’s Li Shifeng (No. 6), reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn (No. 8) from Thailand, and Malaysia’s own Lee Zii Jia (No. 10).
The Malaysia Masters, which started in 2009 as a Grand Prix Gold event, has grown in prestige and was elevated to a Super 500 tournament. It consistently attracts top international players, making it a critical event in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics.
As the badminton community gears up for this exciting tournament, the focus is not only on the thrilling matchups but also on how athletes adjust their schedules and training in anticipation of the Olympics. The absence of key Indian shuttlers will surely be felt, but it also raises intrigue about their strategies and fitness as they prepare for the grand stage in Paris.
