BADMINTON: Badminton Australia announced today the player line-up for the 2017 Australian Badminton Open, to be held from 20 to 25 June at Sydney Olympic Park.

The event will welcome a truly exciting line-up that offers all kinds of surprises and unpredictable outcomes with all five Australian Rio 2016 Olympians set to compete.  

Well-known seeded players and Olympic champions will have the additional challenge this year of competing against unfamiliar newcomers who represent the next generation of players.

The powerhouse nations of China, Denmark, Indonesia and Japan will be well represented this year, with crowd favourites such as reigning Olympic Champion Chen Long and five-time world champion Lin Dan contending with players such as Viktor Axelsen and Jan O Jorgensen.

Last year’s Australian Open Women’s Singles champion Saina Nehwal and Men’s Singles champion Hans-Kristian Vittinghus will return to defend their titles.

The world’s best Women’s Doubles players will be represented by players such as Kamilla Rytter Juhl / Christinna Pedersen from Denmark and Bao Yixin / Tang Jinhua from China.

Badminton Australia Board member and Tournament Director, Loke Poh Wong, was quick to note the range of talent participating in this year’s Open.

“We’re so fortunate this year to host players that represent both established talent and exciting potential – from Lin Dan, Lee Chong Wei and Saina Nehwal to Pusarla Sindhu, Tai Tzu Ying and Angus Ng Ka Long.

"This year’s line-up will continue to attract a diverse range of visitors to Sydney as badminton fans are always keen to show their support for the Olympic medallists, World champions and popular personalities that the Open attracts.”

The launch event in Sydney was well attended by supporters, sponsors and VIPs, including: Mr Roy Marcellus, Sales and Marketing Director for Crown Group and Mr Saro Mugnaini, General Manager of VIP Marketing International for The Star.

Co-founder, Chairman and Group CEO of Crown Group, Mr Iwan Sunito was positive about the potential of this year’s line-up.

“Having supported the Australian Badminton Open since 2012, it’s an exciting milestone each year to learn which of the world’s greatest players are headed to Sydney for the tournament.

"This year’s Open has certainly delivered, with so many top world ranked players confirmed to attend.

"I’m looking forward to seeing what this level of competition will offer to the many enthusiast fans who travel from throughout Australia and overseas to experience this SuperSeries event.”

Australia players
All five of Aussies that competed at the Rio 2016 Olympics will line up at this year’s Australian Badminton Open - Matthew Chau, Wendy Chen, Leanne Choo, Robin Middleton and Sewan Serasinghe. 

They will be joined by top Women’s Doubles pair Setyana Mapasa / Gronya Somerville (World No. 24) fresh from their Grand Prix titles at the 2016 Dutch Open and 2016 Canada Open.

BADMINTON AUSTRALIA