Defending Champions Returning to Compete at Singapore Badminton Open 2023!

2022 Singapore Badminton Open, Men's Singles winner, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting. Photo Credit : Singapore Badminton Association

In less than 2 months, fans can expect to witness the best shuttlers from across the world competing at this year’s KFF Singapore Badminton Open, presented by JK Technology. That's following the confirmation of strong player lineups from badminton powerhouse nations Indonesia and India, which feature defending champions in the men’s and women’s singles, as well as the men’s doubles and women’s doubles categories.

This year’s tournament, which will take place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium from 6-11 June, is slated to feature the strongest player field in the event’s history. That's following the earlier confirmation of men’s singles World No. 1 Viktor Axelsen, and defending Singapore Badminton Open mixed doubles champion, Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai.

Organised by the Singapore Badminton Association (SBA), the Singapore Badminton Open (SBO) is a Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Super 750 series event and is set to feature the top-15 singles players and top-10 doubles pairs, battling it out for a slice of the US$850,000 prize purse.

Indonesia’s Anthony Ginting defeats TeamSG's Loh Kean Yew in SBO 2022 Semis. Photo Credit : David Wirawan

Leading the stellar Indonesian player contingent is the defending SBO men’s singles champion, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting. The current World No. 2 had a much-improved 2022 season, where in addition to his Singapore Badminton Open crown, he also captured the HYLO Open title in Germany in November. He secured his best-ever finish at the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals in 2022 – falling short in the finals to Axelsen with a score of 21-13, 21-14 for a runner-up placing.

The Olympic medalist said: “I’m excited to be back in Singapore. I remember last year's electric atmosphere, especially during my semi-final match against Loh Kean Yew, and I can’t wait to be a part of it again.”

Indonesia's Apriyani Rahayu and Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti at SBO 2022. Photo Credit : David Wirawan

Joining Anthony from Indonesia are the 2022 Singapore Badminton Open women’s doubles champions and World No. 5 pairing of Apriyani Rahayu and Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti, alongside the men’s doubles champions Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthinand. The World No. 11 duo of Carnando and Marthinand have already started 2023 with a bang, capturing back-to-back titles at the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters and Daihatsu Indonesia Masters respectively.

Indian star shuttler, P.V. Sindhu. Photo Credit : Singapore Badminton Association

Rounding up the list of defending champions returning to Singapore is one of the biggest names in the women’s singles game - India’s P.V. Sindhu!

The 27 year old had a mixed 2022 campaign, where she was in great form for the first eight months of the year and captured a total of 4 titles, including the gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. That was before her season was cut short due to a stress fracture to her left foot in late August.

Looking ahead to SBO 2023, the former World Champion said, “I cannot wait to return to Singapore to defend my singles title. I've completely recovered from my injury in 2022 and am slowly returning to the rhythm of competing. It’s definitely going to be a challenge to defend my title with the strength of the field this year, but I’m confident I’ll be able to do so, once I’m back in Singapore in June."

Challenging for top honours alongside Sindhu at the KFF Singapore Open are compatriots Lakshya Sen, who captured the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal in the men’s singles category, and former world No. 1 Srikanth Kidambi.

Event and Ticketing details are available here with season ticket pricing ranging from $120 to $380.

Indonesia's Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin at SBO 2022. Photo Credit : David Wirawan