Players’ safety our priority: BAM

KUALA LUMPUR – Sliding off the court should not be something world-class badminton players have to deal with when playing major tournaments. 

On the second day of the Malaysia Masters at the Axiata Arena, Japanese mixed doubles duo Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino were facing Guo Xin Wa-Zhang Shu Xian of China in the first round. 

In the first set, Guo slipped on the bright orange carpet on the outer perimeter of the court, resulting in it tearing. 

Once again, the carpet issue ??‍♀️ #MalaysiaMasters2022 pic.twitter.com/yXtFBxupUN

— Z ??? (@theone_xyz) July 6, 2022

What was even more surprising in the third set, the same player tore the opposite side carpet while returning a similar shuttle.  

Tragedy Carpet 2.0

Speechless dah #MalaysiaMasters2022 @perodua pic.twitter.com/44CjRXPBe4

— Z ??? (@theone_xyz) July 6, 2022

The tear in the first set had been patched up on the opposite end of the court. 

During the Malaysia Open last week, the same incident occurred, but this time to Japan’s Watanabe, resulting in the player needing medical attention. 

Sakit tuuuuuu???

Yutaaaaaaa.. Apa ni carpet!#MalaysiaOpen2022 pic.twitter.com/ygBBk932mJ

— Z ??? (@theone_xyz) June 29, 2022

However, when contacted, Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh assured that the “players’ safety is the most important aspect for any tournament we organise, and thus, we have done our best to ensure safety”.

“However, sometimes, due to heavy duty usage, such things can happen, but the players do understand such circumstances. 

“It can happen, and has happened before, in other tournaments.”

According to an official from the Badminton World Federation (BWF), it is a normal occurrence during a match as when the player steps on the fabric with the right amount of force, it could tear the fabric apart.

“This is normal, but the carpet could easily be patched up again.

“The carpet that we install is of high quality. Even the right amount of pressure from a player could cause a tear,” they told The Vibes. – The Vibes, July 6, 2022