All England Draw: Heralding the Post-Pandemic Era
It was the YONEX All England 2020 that last saw a full-fledged draw at an HSBC BWF World Tour event which wasn’t weakened by team withdrawals, injuries or fatigue.
· DEV SUKUMAR
Rather appropriately, it’s the YONEX All England (16-20 March 2022) that will once again see a full draw as the world bounces back from the ravages of COVID-19. The All England 2022 can perhaps be seen as the first event of the post-COVID era, with the draw reminiscent of the world before the pandemic struck.
Among the big names in the draw is Greysia Polii, who talked of retiring at the close of 2021 following her Olympic gold medal win, but who now appears to have reconsidered. The Indonesian, who was elected Chair of the Athletes’ Commission, figures in the draw with Apriyani Rahayu in the bottom quarter. Significantly, Rahayu is playing with a different partner – Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti – at the German Open the previous week.
One popular pair returning after a hiatus is Yuki Fukushima/Sayaka Hirota, who haven’t played together since Hirota’s knee injury at Tokyo 2020. Fukushima played with three partners in the European leg with mixed success; Hirota’s form on her return will be eagerly watched as the No.4 duo seek to reclaim their 2020 title.