It is far from a perfect tournament, but in terms of the scoring system, it has been a resounding advocate for retaining the 21 points system. I will touch on some of the areas where BWF needs to focus on fixing first.
The Stuff which Actually Needs Fixing
The most obvious problem with this tournament has been the airflow and playing conditions. It get ridiculous when the players look like a superstar on one side of the court, then looks like a complete idiot on the other side. If BWF want to change things, these are the type of things it should look at: Make the stadiums improve their drift and lighting.
1. Air Flow a.k.a Drift
Instead of trying to screw up badminton with timer clocks and scoring changes, BWF should instead dictate that stadium install air flow curtains and fabrics to reduce the windy conditions. Where I am based here in Malaysia, there are badminton halls which install dark fabric along the walls to reduce air flow. And those badminton halls are the best ones to play badminton in as there is minimal airflow. I do not see why BWF cannot dictate the stadiums had some sort of curtains at entrances, similar to the ones in the old school cinemas. The stadium for the China Open 2026 was a shame.
2. Unwanted Noises during the Game
Another part which bugs me a lot with the China Open 2026 is a whirling fan sound in the broadcast. When the crowd goes silent during the rally, this whirling fan sound was so loud, I thought I left a kitchen appliance on. Gosh, these basic problems should never be a problem in the first place. Listen closely when Chou is about to serve at the timestamp at 19:09 and you will know what I mean.
All the focus on imaginary problems with the scoring system and the countdown clock, fix these problems instead, for crying out loud! If BWF wants to follow tennis, then follow the perfection of Wimbledon. Everything is about the players on the court, not other random things. The rules they impose are so that the focus remains on the players on the court and nothing else. I do not see why badminton wants to bring the focus away from the stars of the sport who are standing right there on the court. Sigh.
3. Player Historical Data
And then there is the historical data problem for players. If BWF can spend the effort to update player data on Wikipedia, I do not see why BWF cannot update the player data and history on their own website. It is very perplexing.
The Stuff which Do Not Need Fixing (In My Humble Opinion)
The finals day is a resounding success! I was glued to my seat the entire day. If I were a spectator who bought a ticket, I’d be a happy person. This is great value from a badminton fan who paid good money and cleared the day to watch some great badminton.
Mixed Doubles: High Stakes, High Tension and Awesome Badminton
The curtain raiser mixed doubles match was an awesome spectacle. Guo and Chen brought Feng and Huang Dong Ping to duece in game 1 and game 2 before finally breaking them to take the rubber game 21 – 16 to win the China Open 2026. After winning the All England in 2025, they have been on a wretched run of form for more than a year. Great to see both on them competing at their best once again.
I really like the all out action of Chen Fanghui. She is not the typical static mixed doubles girl. She is an all out action star who absolutes runs everywhere to continue the pressure on the opponent. To see her running left and right and back left while she was trying to dominate the net is a glorious sight to behold. And when she fails to hit a shot, she just squats down and shakes her head while smiling wryly, that shows great commitment and personality.
The match including the awards ceremony went on for 1 hour and 49 minutes. BWF complaining it is taking too long be damned. It is just the same duration as an average tennis match. And if I paid good money to get a ticket in the stadium, this is EXACTLY the type of match I want to watch. Not a watered down 60 minute 15 x 3 points version. Give me value or I will demand a refund. That’s because I am sure as hell that BWF is not going to lower the ticket prices because they are going for 15 x 3 points.
Men’s Singles: Chou Cements His Legendary Status and Popov Makes History
A historic match with 36 year old Chou Tien Chen winning a Super 1000 and Popov becoming the first Frenchman to be in a Super 1000 final. Either 1 winning it would have been a historic feat, and I have to say, Chou is a deserved winner.
The man who is 36 years old and still performing at this level, Chou is the oldest man to win a Super 1000. The last time we saw this was with Lee Chong Wei winning the Malaysia Open. and even then Lee Chong Wei was a year younger at 35 years old. This is amazing and I am at a lost for words. And during the post match interview, Chou was extremely humble in the interview. What a man.
Chou winning it with 21 points system weakens BWF’s argument somewhat of helping players. If players choose to look after themselves as Chou did, they can continue playing at the highest level even at 36. BWF moving the goalposts does not help.
This match lasted 1 hour and 9 minutes, and if it were shorter, the significance is diluted. It should remain as it is at 21 points.
Men’s Doubles: Fast, Furious and the Changing of Guard
The match went the distance as well, going for 1 hour and 36 minutes on YouTube. It was super entertaining, and super duper fast. The World Number 1 versus the World Number 2. And more importantly, the World Number 2 have beaten the World Number 1 for the second time, 2 weeks in a row.
That signals a change in guard. We will be seeing a new World Number 1 soon in Fikri and Alfian. Well done!
The tension and intensity of the game might change in unexpected ways when the scoring system changes. Given how wonderfully captivating and exciting this match was, there is no need to change it at all. And that goes for the other 3 matches mentioned above, and also the 2 which I did not mention.
Honourable Mentions: Women’s Singles and Women’s Doubles
These 2 matches were in no means bad, it was just that there was not so much tension involved as both were completed in straight games. But, it is also true that if the matches were shorter, that would make the final less meaningful.
Conclusion
If BWF wants to increase viewership and engagement, they should ensure great badminton, and the China Open 2026 just showcased that. Popov being in the final of a Super 1000 is great news and generates excitement in Europe. Chou making headlines with his historic feat also generates excitement. As with the men’s doubles game with the top 2 pairs in the world facing off.
The last thing badminton needs right now is to be labelled as a sport for retired players like pickleball is for tennis. That may make the sport more accessible to every day people, but it kills the sports as a spectacle. Besides, when playing for recreation, we play all sorts of different scores such as 5 points, 7 points, 11 points, 15 points or 25 points and 30 points! We don’t need to have BWF slap 15 points in our faces. We can do that ourselves. Stick to what works, and that is the 21 points system.
That’s it for this entry.
Until the next entry, eat well, get plenty of rest and keep the badminton going!
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