2006-2010: Brilliantly through the second decade

The Badminton Swiss Open increasingly succeeds in establishing itself as a regular tournament in the badminton world. Small and large challenges are overcome and the tournament constantly adapts to the spirit of the times.

Linda Harzenmoser

It almost seems as if there is never a year in which the Badminton Swiss Open doesn't try out something new. In 2006, for example, live scoring is offered on the Internet for the first time, so that fans from all over the world can follow the scores in real time. The tournament is also slowly but surely establishing itself as the second-largest event in Europe behind the All England, and fittingly, the 2006 mixed semi-finals feature three English pairings.

The following year, the World Badminton Federation launches the ‘Super Series’ and the Swiss Open successfully applies for a place in the tournament series. This means that a 60-page contract document has to be signed and followed, but also that the tournament now benefits from the centralised marketing of the world association. In addition, the rally point system with two winning sets of 21 points each will be introduced. The fact that all the world's No. 1 players are present, as well as the many attractions and side events, attracts 20,000 spectators to the St. Jakobshalle for the first time.

Due to the regulations of the ‘Super Series’, a large part of the Centre Court infrastructure has to be replaced – an investment that can be made with the help of generous donations. St. Jakobshalle is also renovating the foyer, which will also benefit the Swiss Open. One of the challenges of staging the event in 2008 is that the ‘Musikantenstadl’ show is being staged in the St. Jakobshalle at the weekend. This means that the courts have to be dismantled and the wooden hut set up for the ‘Stadl’ at the same time. On the sporting side, this year's tournament is above all a foretaste of the Olympic Games in Beijing.

In 2009, the Swiss Open is honoured with a high-ranking visit: the presidents and council of the world federation come to Basel during the tournament, hold meetings and take the opportunity to thank and honour the work of the organisers. In addition, a Swiss representative is elected to the Council for the first time. Co-operation with an international TV agency makes it possible to broadcast the games in over 20 countries.

One year later, the 20th Badminton Swiss Open is celebrated. Together with the Swiss Sports Museum, a badminton exhibition is shown, the organising committee of the Swiss Open becomes an honorary member of swiss badminton and the tournament itself is admitted to Swiss Top Sport, the association of the 20 largest sporting events in Switzerland.

However, the anniversary year would not be typical for the Swiss Open if there were not a small challenge to overcome: as the major jewellery and watch fair Basel World is taking place at the same time, the hotel capacity in Basel has reached its limit and hotels at Zurich Airport have to be booked for the Swiss Open. Although this involves a great deal of logistical effort, the many volunteers are able to cope as usual.