The world's best players will be hitting the courts next month for the Australian Open of Badminton.
Qualifying points for the Rio Olympics are on offer, as well as $974,000 in prize money.
China's dual Olympic champion Lin Dan – described as the Lionel Messi or Kobe Bryant of his sport – is a confirmed starter.
The top-20 ranked men will all be competing, as well as India’s Saina Nehwal – who took over as the women’s world number one last month. Her every match closely monitored by more than five and a half million Facebook followers.
The face of the Australian team is 20-year-old Gronya Somerville from Melbourne, who’ll be competing in the women’s doubles.
She loves the sport because it combines agility, flexibility, power, and speed, and believes hosting a World Super Series tournament is a huge boost for badminton in Australia.
Last year it was a sell-out from the semi-finals onwards, and while much of the interest comes from Asia, Australian men’s doubles player Michael Fariman says the sport is growing in popularity here.
He says five years ago it was difficult to even find a social game, or court, in Sydney. Now it’s "pretty much everywhere."
And his friends and family are already asking for tickets to the Australian Open.
A member of the Oceania Badminton Confederation, Australia hopes to send five players to the Rio Games.
The Open will be held from May 26-31 in Sydney.
Share
