Vietnam’s top badminton player, Nguyen Thuy Linh, has unexpectedly withdrawn from the Orleans Masters, which kicks off today in France, following her runner-up finish at the German Open.
Thuy Linh successfully defended her women’s singles runner-up title at the German Open, maintaining her world No. 29 ranking in the BWF (Badminton World Federation) rankings. According to her initial schedule, the Dong Nai-team shuttler was set to travel to France to compete in the Orleans Masters, another BWF World Tour Super 300 tournament, similar to the German Open.
However, at the last minute, Nguyen Thuy Linh decided to withdraw from the tournament due to signs of overload. The Dong Nai badminton department, which manages Thuy Linh, confirmed her withdrawal from the French tournament. Instead, she will focus on recovering for the prestigious All England Open, which takes place from March 11 to 16. The All England Open is part of the World Tour Super 1000 series, boasting a prize pool of $1.45 million. Her withdrawal from the Orleans Masters is seen as a strategic decision to ensure optimal recovery for the major event.
With Nguyen Thuy Linh stepping down, Hina Akechi (Japan, world No. 42) has been selected as her replacement in the women’s singles draw at the Orleans Masters.
Reflecting on her runner-up finish at the 2025 German Open, Nguyen Thuy Linh shared an emotional message:
“It’s not just about standing on the silver medal podium or being the runner-up. It’s about the journey—every step, every drop of sweat, and every effort, including moments of tension and anxiety. But in the end, I was able to step up once again. To me, happiness is in the journey, and sometimes, happiness is not just the result. As long as I haven’t decided to stop, I will keep moving forward…”
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