One defeat all year: Se Young keeps rewriting badminton history
KUALA LUMPUR: South Korea’s An Se Young has cemented her status as badminton’s dominant force after pushing through injury to claim her 10th title of the season.
South Korea's An Se Young has cemented her status as badminton's reigning force after overcoming injury to secure her 10th title of the season. Her remarkable comeback against India's PV Sindhu at the French Open final reinforced her determination and showcased her ability to stay at the top despite physical challenges. Se Young, a world No. 1, clinched the match with heavy strapping after slipping and injuring her right Achilles tendon at the Denmark Open.
This victory marked her third consecutive French Open crown and fourth overall, including wins in 2019, 2024, and 2025. She has now achieved an impressive 66 wins out of 67 official matches this year, boasting a 98.5% win rate. Sindhu made an aggressive start, winning the first game 21-16, but Se Young adjusted her tactics, increased the pace, and dominated the final two games to clinch the match in 61 minutes.
Throughout the tournament, Se Young faced tough challenges, including a grueling semi-final against Japan's Nozomi Okuhara, which tested her physical condition. However, she managed to hold on and win the match 21-12, 21-19. Se Young acknowledged that this campaign has been one of her toughest tests physically. Despite the pain, she remains committed to playing.
Se Young has three more tournaments left this year, including the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals. Achieving two more titles would surpass her record of 11 titles set last year, bringing her closer to a 50th career title before the end of the year.
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