Danish badminton player and world No. 3, Anders Antonsen, has withdrawn from the ongoing India Open 2026, explicitly citing "extreme pollution" in New Delhi as his reason. This marks his third consecutive year of pulling out from the tournament due to air quality concerns. Antonsen publicly shared a screenshot on Instagram displaying Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) at a staggering 348, which falls into the "hazardous" or "very poor" category, indicating significant health risks. Consequently, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) has imposed a $5,000 fine on Antonsen, adhering to regulations for top-ranked players who skip mandatory events without a valid medical exemption. Antonsen's concerns are echoed by his compatriot, Mia Blichfeldt, who also voiced strong criticism regarding the "unhealthy conditions" at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, the tournament venue. Her complaints included dirty floors, general uncleanliness, and the presence of birds and bird droppings within the arena. Further underscoring the hygiene issues, a match between HS Prannoy and Loh Kean Yew was reportedly halted twice due to bird droppings on the court. Adding to the bizarre circumstances, a monkey was spotted in the spectator galleries, and another at the training venue, prompting concerns about venue security and overall player environment. This India Open is particularly significant as it serves as a test event for the BWF World Championships scheduled to be held in Delhi in August. The recurring issues of severe air pollution in Delhi during winter, coupled with venue hygiene lapses, raise critical questions about the city's suitability for hosting international sporting events.