Former Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal has raised concerns over the proposed change in badminton’s scoring format, urging the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to think carefully before implementing it. The world governing body is considering replacing the current best-of-three games to 21 points system with a 3x15 rally-point format, a proposal that will be voted on during the federation’s upcoming Annual General Meeting.

While Nehwal acknowledged that sports need to evolve with time, she believes the current system has worked well and should not be altered without careful evaluation.

21-point system keeps the game balanced and competitive

Nehwal said the existing 21-point rally scoring system, which has been used in international badminton since 2006, has proven effective in maintaining competitive balance. According to her, the format allows players to build momentum, recover from slow starts, and showcase endurance during long rallies.

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She believes the current structure produces intense contests and keeps fans engaged. A shorter format like 3x15, she suggested, could reduce the time players have to adjust strategies during a match and might change the natural rhythm of the sport.

Player workload also a growing concern

Apart from the scoring debate, Nehwal also highlighted the heavy workload faced by professional players on the international circuit. With frequent tournaments across the BWF World Tour calendar, athletes often have limited recovery time between events.

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She stressed that any changes to match formats or tournament structures should also consider player welfare. According to Nehwal, badminton’s administrators must ensure that the sport continues to grow while protecting the physical and mental health of its players.