RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s top men’s singles badminton playerJonatan Christie suffered an unexpected early exit at the 2026 All England after being defeated in the round of 32 by Singapore’s Jason Teh in a tightly contested three-game match, 21-11, 10-21, 21-15. The match took place at Utilita Arena Birmingham on Wednesday night, March 4, 2026.

Jonathan Christie, affectionately known as “Jojo”, expressed frustration over the shuttlecock, which he described as unusually heavy and slower than expected. “I didn’t expect the shuttle to feel this heavy. There was no wind, similar to the 2024 All England, but the shuttle’s speed was slower, so it required more energy,” Jojo said on a statement released by the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI), as quoted by Antara.

The 28-year-old added that patience and calm were crucial, noting that some of his smashes and shots were mistimed due to the shuttle’s behavior. Despite meticulous preparation, Jojo admitted disappointment with the result at this BWF Super 1000 event, which had been a major target for him.

“All England is one of the tournaments I aim for. It’s a big event with significant ranking points. After the India Open, I focused fully on preparing for this, both psychologically and physically, and on my game strategy,” he explained.

Jojo, the 2024 All England champion, highlighted the increasing competitiveness in the men’s singles field. He noted that rising young players and strong performances across the board make every match unpredictable. “I see it as positive. There are many good players and also young talents, so anyone can win. That’s why every match has to be treated like a final,” he concluded. ***