Does the new scoring system help badminton?

In this series, The Straits Times takes a deep dive into the hottest sports topic or debate of the hour. From Lamine Yamal’s status as the next big thing to pickleball’s growth, we'll ask The Big Question to set you thinking, and talking.

- David Lee Senior Sports Correspondent

Loh Kean Yew, Singapore's former world champion, thinks that under the new scoring system, players will have to hit top gear much earlier.

(PHOTO: AFP)

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 1l-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.”