Top stars HS Prannoy and Shi Yuqi headline withdrawals from BWF China Masters 2025

As the BWF China Masters 2025 approaches in Shenzhen from September 16 to 21, the tournament has already been reshaped by a string of high-profile withdrawals. The Super 750 event, one of the premier stops on the World Tour, was expected to feature many of the sport’s biggest names but several top-ranked shuttlers, specifically in the men’s singles category, will now be absent.

Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen, who continues his comeback journey after undergoing back surgery in April, is set to compete in Shenzhen. The reigning two-time Olympic champion only recently returned to action and is gradually building momentum while carefully managing his recovery and scheduling.

China’s own Shi Yuqi, a top title contender and fan favorite, has also withdrawn, dealing a huge blow to the home crowd’s hopes. Alongside him, India’s HS Prannoy and Kiran George will not be competing, further weakening the men’s singles draw.

At the Hong Kong Open 2025 last week, Prannoy began strongly with a straight-games victory over China’s Lu Guangzu, winning 21–17, 21–14 in the opening round. However, his campaign came to an end in the Round of 16, where he faced compatriot Lakshya Sen in 3 sets.

Kiran George also enjoyed a strong run at the Hong Kong Open 2025, making his way through the qualifiers with convincing wins over Malaysia’s Cheam June Wei and India’s Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian. He carried that form into the main draw, where he defeated Singapore’s Jason Teh 21–16, 21–11 in the opening round. However, his impressive campaign ended in the Round of 16 against former world No. 2 Chou Tien Chen, who secured a 21–6, 21–12 victory.

The women’s singles field has been heavily impacted too. India’s Unnati Hooda, Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj, Anmol Kharb, and Kavipriya Selvam, Japan’s Kaoru Sugiyama, Canada’s Wen Yu Zhang, and Czech shuttler Tereza Švábíková are all missing, leaving the category wide open for breakthrough performances.

In men’s doubles, Denmark’s Frederik Søgaard/Rasmus Kjær, Thailand’s Peeratchai Sukphun/Pakkapon Teeraratsakul, and Czech brothers Jiří Král/Ondřej Král are among the notable withdrawals.

Women’s doubles will also see several absentees, including Indonesia’s Apriyani Rahayu/Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti, India’s Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, and USA’s Allison Lee/Lauren Lam. Other pairs from Japan, Thailand, Canada, and India have also opted out.

Mixed doubles has suffered one of the longest withdrawal lists. Danish duo Mathias Christiansen/Alexandra Bøje, Singapore’s Hee Yong Kai Terry/Jin Yu Jia, and Indonesia’s Rinov Rivaldy/Pitha Haningtyas Mentari will all miss the event.

These withdrawals may dent the star power of the China Masters 2025, but they also pave the way for rising shuttlers to make their mark and collect valuable ranking points in the lead-up to the year-end finals.

Full list of players who have withdrawn from BWF China Masters 2025

Men’s Singles:

• Shi Yuqi (China)
• HS Prannoy (India)
• Kiran George (India)

Women’s Singles

• Unnati Hooda (India)
• Kaoru Sugiyama (Japan)
• Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj (India)
• Wen Yu Zhang (Canada)
• Anmol Kharb (India)
• Tereza Švábíková (Czechia)
• Kavipriya Selvam (India)

Men’s Doubles:

• Frederik Søgaard / Rasmus Kjær (Denmark)
• Peeratchai Sukphun / Pakkapon Teeraratsakul (Thailand)
• Jiří Král / Ondej Král (Czechia)

ALSO READ: China Masters 2025: Updated schedule, fixtures, results & live streaming details

Women’s Doubles:

• Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti / Apriyani Rahayu (Indonesia)
• Annie Lado / Estelle Van Leeuwen (England)
• Eliana Zhang / Wen Yu Zhang (Canada)
• Treesa Jolly / Gayatri Gopichand Pullela (India)
• Allison Lee / Lauren Lam (USA)
• Mizuki Otake / Miyu Takahashi (Japan)
• Ornnicha Jongsathapornparn / Sukitta Suwachai (Thailand)
• Kavipriya Selvam / Simran Singhi (India)

Mixed Doubles

• Supak Jomkoh / Ornnicha Jongsathapornparn (Thailand)
• Ondřej Král / Tereza Švábíková (Czechia)
• Mathias Christiansen / Alexandra Bøje (Denmark)
• Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto / Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja (Indonesia)
• Hee Yong Kai Terry / Jin Yu Jia (Singapore)
• Rinov Rivaldy / Pitha Haningtyas Mentari (Indonesia)

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