The Badminton World Federation (BWF) announced on Monday that it is extending the ban on the controversial 'spin serve' until the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The decision comes after the BWF temporarily banned this style of serve in May, citing concerns about its potential to disrupt the game.
What is a 'spin-serve'?
The spin serve involves a player spinning the shuttlecock before launching it. The player holds the shuttlecock by the cork between the thumb and middle finger of their left hand. They then impart an anticlockwise spin on the shuttlecock while serving. Without allowing much time for the shuttlecock to descend, the server must strike it with the racket, causing it to rotate as it travels toward the opponent.
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This spin-serve was first said to be implemented by Denmark’s doubles player Marcus Rindshoj in the Polish Open 2023. After consultation with the badminton community, the BWF Council concluded that it would be best to continue forbidding the spin serve for another 15 months.
What did the BWF say about the spin-serve ban?
In a statement released on Monday, the BWF emphasized: "After consultation with the badminton community, BWF Council believed it best to forbid the 'spin serve' for another 15 months so as to not impact the Olympic and Paralympic qualifying periods and the Games themselves.
BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund expressed his welcome for innovation in the sport but highlighted the importance of gathering more information regarding the serve's impact. The BWF intends to use the extended ban period to assess the serve thoroughly before making any permanent decisions.
The ban received support from various badminton associations worldwide. Kenny Goh, the Secretary-General of the Badminton Association of Malaysia, stated that the spin serve could "kill" the game as receiving players found it challenging to handle the incoming shuttle due to irregular flight patterns.
With the extension of the ban, players will need to adapt their strategies and rely on alternative serving techniques during the upcoming tournaments and qualifying events leading up to the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. The BWF's decision aims to ensure fair and consistent gameplay, preserving the integrity of the sport.
When will the spin-serve ban become effective?
The ban is in immediate effect and will be in place for the Thailand Open which is slated to start on Tuesday.