Does badminton’s new 15-point scoring system help the sport?

SINGAPORE – Like it or not, the new 15-point scoring system for badminton will come into force from Jan 4, 2027.

The move, which means players will need 15 points instead of 21 to win a game, was approved at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) annual general meeting on April 25. Matches will still be played under a best-of-three format.

This is the first major permanent update to the scoring system since 2006. Before this, games were also played to 15 points, but players could score only on their own serve. In 2002 and 2014, there were also short-lived trials to use a 5 x 7-point and 5 x 11-point system respectively.

However, players, fans and observers are at a stalemate regarding whether the latest tweak will benefit the sport.

Shorter matches might not mean fewer injuries

The switch directly affects the players, with the most obvious difference being that fewer points are contested, which suggests shorter matches and less fatigue.

Indonesia’s former men’s singles Asian champion Jonatan Christie believes it would benefit the senior players.

The 28-year-old said: “When I play a long match, like 60-70 minutes, it’s not good for my body. I need more time for recovery. When the match is shorter than 60 minutes, it will be good.”

Hong Kong’s head coach Wong Choong Hann, who notes that trials had shown that 3 x 15-point matches typically last between 30 and 50 minutes, believes this could help in preventing certain injuries.

The Malaysian, a former men’s singles world No. 1, added: “That should help players avoid chronic injuries. Mentally, it is also pointed to the direction of a better balance for a professional career.”

But China’s Feng Yanzhe, one half of the world No. 1 mixed doubles pairing with Huang Dongping, believes that while the new scoring system might reduce fatigue or chronic issues, it does not mitigate the risk of acute injuries.

Under the new scoring system, players would likely have to raise their game over fewer points which could also increase the risk of injury, said Feng.

The 25-year-old added: “In a long season with tournaments week after week, shorter matches could possibly reduce injuries.

“But the intensity of competition would not necessarily decrease because players will fight more intensely for the 15 points. So, the faster pace may also increase the risk of injury.”

BWF medical panel chair Dr Niels Christian Kaldau agrees that in theory, shorter matches “make daily schedules shorter, and that can help players have more time for restitution”.

But he added: “There are so many factors that can influence injuries and load is definitely one of them.

“We don’t know because the game will change... that can influence how the players train in the future, so it’s very hard to say.”

Anticipating the potential changes in playing style, coaches such as Singapore’s Kelvin Ho are already preparing to tweak their training programmes.

The national singles coach said: “The 15-point games will require players to adapt quicker, move faster and be more ready from the start to the end.

“In terms of training, we still need to focus on all components but, percentage-wise perhaps, more so on explosiveness and control. We also have to ensure our players are always confident when they step onto the court, and are ready to overcome any obstacles in their game.”

Malaysia’s coaching director Kenneth Jonassen believes the all-rounder will have an edge now.

The Dane said: “When there’re less points to be played, you need to be very good at everything you do. I think the all-round accomplished player will have a bigger advantage because there are fewer points to be played.

“You need to have good quality and control emotions even better because unforced mistakes will cost you hugely.”

Better gameplay?

Including the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals, there are 40 events on the BWF World Tour across five tiers in a year-long campaign. The hectic schedule has seen numerous withdrawals or retirements, which affects the integrity of the competitions.

Canada’s Victor Lai feels the new scoring system should result in fewer withdrawals, adding that he knows “a lot of players aren’t able to play back-to-back tournaments just because of fatigue”.

“It will definitely be more exciting, more intense,” said the 21-year-old world championship men’s singles bronze medallist.

“It will be quicker in game speed, it will be a lot faster. The court wouldn’t seem as big because you are at a higher risk but you don’t want to risk.”

Singapore’s mixed doubles Olympian Terry Hee agreed, adding: “There will be more speed and power involved, and a higher level of focus is needed as each match is shorter.”

England’s Sean Vendy, who won the European men’s doubles title with Ben Lane in April, thinks the new format eliminates “irrelevant points” at the start of the games under the current scoring system.

The 29-year-old said: “Sometimes when we are at tournaments, it’s a bit long, especially in the women’s doubles and men’s singles, where the first 11 points for me are pretty much irrelevant. If you are playing to 15, at 5-5, it becomes more relevant. At 5-5 now, not many people are that bothered.”

Singapore’s 2021 men’s singles world champion Loh Kean Yew feels that players will have to hit top gear much earlier and will have less time to “test water”.

The 28-year-old said: “There’s fewer opportunities to catch up if we fall behind from the start. For example, if one player leads 8-3 and wins a few more points, he is already so close to winning the game at 15 points.

“We were not given a choice about this, and it remains to be seen how we will be affected, for better or worse. As with any major change, this affects everyone, but whoever adapts fastest will have an early advantage.”

But South Korea’s all-conquering women’s singles star An Se-young is unsure about the new system leading to more intense matches.

The 24-year-old said: “It might be a bit more interesting with more power in play, but it could also mean a lot more mistakes. Does it make it more intense? I’m not sure about that.”

Better viewing experience?

Typically, BWF World Tour events start from the round of 32, and the early stages could see matches being played from morning until late at night if many matches require deciders. Also, lopsided encounters will also seem dreary if they require 21 points to finish each game.

Badminton is not the only sport to reduce its number of points.

In 2001, table tennis switched from a 3 x 21 to a 5 x 11 scoring system, which also includes a 7x11 format for certain events such as the Olympics singles competitions. This was supposed to make the sport faster and more exciting with the TV audience in mind.

Badminton commentator Steen Pedersen said: “It’s super important that we stay relevant and adapt to the times we are living in, which seems to promote a shorter attention span.

“Sometimes, we see schedules that overrun because a number of matches go the full distance. And the probability of that will decrease with the 3x15 scoring system.

“So, in terms of looking long-term ahead, and sort of securing badminton’s place in the world of sports and the global sports market, I think this could be a good thing.”

However, local badminton fan Nicole Yang feels that the change may devalue the viewing experience. The 27-year-old bank executive said: “Different fans appreciate the various styles of attacking or defensive play. We like to see players push themselves to the limit in the current system.

“I’m not sure if the new system would leave fans feeling like there’s not enough action, especially when it comes down to the final day when there are only five matches.”

BWF Athletes’ Commission chair and 2019 women’s singles world champion P. V. Sindhu thinks that while innovation is “absolutely needed”, it also has to be meaningful.

The 30-year-old Indian said: “We should always look at how to improve sport for players, fans, broadcasters and commercial partners. But not every change is progress, so my overall feeling would be like – let us innovate, but let us make sure that we are solving the right problem.

“From my discussions with players, the feedback has genuinely been mixed. But if I look at the overall sentiment of the athletes I’ve spoken to, the majority still feel the 21-point system is better for badminton. 

“Some players do see positives in 15 points and three sets, especially in terms of shorter matches. But the broader feeling is that 21 points gives the sport more of its charm, rhythm and tactical depth.”