PETALING JAYA: The Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) plan to introduce new 15x3 scoring system continues to generate debate over whether it will benefit the sport’s biggest stakeholders, which is the players.
World No. 2 women’s doubles player M. Thinaah said she sees no harm in giving the system a try, especially for women’s doubles, which is often associated with long, drawn-out matches.
"I think it's no harm trying it because it's something new. Even a time clock system is new. It won't hurt to try. But I definitely know that games will be faster and might even be more intense because the points are shorter than 21, right?
"So everyone might just go all in, attack fully, stay fully focused, and it definitely will be more intense," said Thinaah in an interview on The Average Not Average podcast.
"As we’re so used to playing 21-point games, it's hard to know exactly how it will feel.
"In the 15-point system, losing five points puts you halfway down the game with only ten points left. That really affects focus and mental preparation," Thinaah added.
Also featured on the podcast was two-time world champion Viktor Axelsen, who shared his thoughts alongside Thinaah.
Axelsen said shorter matches would be inevitable at first, but players will adapt over time.
"It will be interesting to see. Matches will definitely be shorter in the beginning, but once players get used to it, things will balance out.
"Fewer points mean shorter games, no doubt, but it should be fun to watch," he said.
So far, the 3x15 scoring system has only been tested in selected smaller grade three tournaments since last year and has not yet been used in any BWF World Tour events.
The decision on whether it will replace the current 21-point system will be made on April 25, when all BWF members cast their votes at the annual general meeting in Horsens, Denmark, held in conjunction with the Thomas and Uber Cups.
