Dubai: The late withdrawal of Chinese star Chen Long drew a lot of attention on the opening day of the BWF Dubai World Superseries Finals being played at the Hamdan Sports Complex.
Chen, the last among the men to qualify for the season-finale, was a last-minute withdrawal from the competition late on Tuesday citing a left knee injury. The seventh-ranked 28-year-old gold medallist at the 2016 Rio Games disclosed that he had travelled to Dubai despite having a bad left knee.
The Chinese player reportedly hurt his knee during the course of the China Open and the following week’s Hong Kong Open – two tournaments that in fact helped him nudge through into the top-8 and qualify for the season-finale in Dubai.
Hard decision
“This was the last time that this tournament is being held in such a fine place like and that is the one reason why I wanted to qualify so badly. Unfortunately, the injury does not feel any good and I have to go without playing,” Chen told the media after not appearing for his opening round against Korean Son Wan Ho.
“I had to make a decision and I want to give myself a better chance for the next season,” he explained before leaving for the airport later in the day yesterday.
Had Chen Long announced his withdrawal earlier, Hong Kong’s Wong Wing Ki Vincent would have then made it to Dubai as the ninth-ranked player.