Anders Antonsen voices frustration over shot clock trial at Denmark Open

Anders Antonsen, the world No. 2, has expressed his frustration with the planned trial of a new shot clock system at the 2026 Denmark Open, just days after celebrating his 12th BWF title at the Arctic Open.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is set to test the system during the Denmark Open, which begins on Tuesday, before continuing the trial at the French Open the following week.

The initiative aims to improve the pace of matches and prevent players from deliberately delaying play between rallies. However, Antonsen has questioned the introduction of the system, describing the audible signal as a distraction during an already demanding match.

How Will the New Badminton Shot Clock Work?

Under the proposed rules approved by the BWF Council, players will have 25 seconds between rallies to prepare for the next point.

The system is designed to establish a more consistent time limit, reducing the need for umpires to make subjective decisions about how long players should be allowed to take between points.

The main principles of the trial are:

• 25 seconds between rallies: Players will be allocated a maximum of 25 seconds to prepare for the next point under normal circumstances.
• Clock starts after the score update: The countdown begins when the umpire announces or updates the score.
• Server must be ready: The server must be prepared to serve before the 25-second period expires.
• Receiver must be ready: The receiver must be prepared to receive once the server is in position to serve.
• Umpire discretion: Officials can allow additional time when circumstances require it, including medical interventions or significant court mopping.

According to the BWF, the aim is to create a smoother rhythm during matches while discouraging unnecessary delays.

However, the trial has already attracted criticism from one of badminton’s leading players.

Anders Antonsen Calls the System Distracting

Despite his recent success on court, Antonsen is far from convinced that the new system will benefit players.

Speaking to TV 2 Sport, the Danish star admitted that he was disappointed to learn that a bell would be introduced as part of the trial.

“When I heard there was a bell—just a few days ago—I thought: ‘Damn, what a pain.’ So, I’m not exactly thrilled about it,” Antonsen said.

The world No. 2 explained that players already face considerable challenges between rallies, including managing their tactics, regaining concentration and bringing their heart rates down before the next point.

“I find it a very distracting element. I’m not happy about it. I think getting back on track tactically is challenging enough—focusing and bringing the heart rate down. Now there’s also a bell to keep an eye on,” he added.

Antonsen’s comments highlight concerns about whether introducing a strict countdown and an audible signal could disrupt players’ routines during high-intensity contests.

Denmark Open 2026: Dates and Venue

The 2026 Denmark Open begins on Tuesday and runs until Sunday, 18 October, at the SJF Bank Arena, also known as Jyske Bank Arena, in Odense, Denmark.

The tournament will provide another opportunity for the BWF to assess the proposed shot clock system in a competitive environment before its subsequent trial at the French Open.

With one of badminton’s leading players already voicing his concerns, the experiment could become a major talking point throughout the tournament as officials evaluate whether the new rules can improve match flow without adding unnecessary pressure on competitors.