2020-2024: From pandemic shock to a new start

The Covid-19 pandemic naturally also has a major tournament like the Swiss Open firmly in its grip. Thanks to a great deal of perseverance and commitment, the tournament still survives these challenging years.

Wackernagel/Harzenmoser

After the successful Badminton World Championships, held in Basel in 2019 and attracting over 25,000 spectators, the wish is to carry this momentum and expertise directly into the next tournament year. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has other plans for the Yonex Swiss Open 2020: It is only during the deliveries and initial set-up that the Swiss Federal Council decides that all types of events can not be held with immediate effect. The entire planning effort is thus obliterated – a bitter pill to swallow for the otherwise highly motivated organising committee and the many volunteers. 5000 printed anniversary brochures (1991-2020) have to be returned to storage. Fortunately, the worst is averted and bankruptcy is prevented thanks to rescue funds from the federal government.

In 2021, the Swiss Open are the first (and almost only) badminton tournament in the world daring to organise a ‘bubble event’. 150 volunteers are willing to spend ten days in bubble isolation, travelling exclusively from the hotel to the St. Jakobshalle and back again. The players and associations are thrilled and extremely grateful that competitive matches are finally taking place again, and this gratitude can still be felt today. Viktor Axelsen and Carolina Marin, probably the most prominent badminton personalities, win that year – unfortunately out of the public eye, but still visible on television and in the online livestream.

Fortunately, better time have already come in 2022 and spectators are allowed to come to the St. Jakobshalle again. Unfortunately, this relaxation of the rules is decided and communicated at very short notice, meaning that the Swiss Open only venture to restart with a modest crowd.

As a result, 2023 and 2024 are still dominated by this feeling of restart. More and more spectators are now making their way to the Swiss Open every year, thanks in part to various activities on social media, the many efforts of the Swiss Association and the fact that a large proportion of the world's badminton elite continue to compete in Basel every year.