There is not much left for An Se-young to prove on a badminton court. At 25, the South Korean has already conquered the biggest stages, established herself as the undisputed world No. 1 and built a reputation for relentless excellence.
But away from the court, she is still looking for ways to improve.
These days, that includes English.
The Olympic champion has been working on her English-speaking skills, putting in time every week to learn the language while continuing to add to and refine her game.
“Yes, I always look to improve my English. I want to improve my English. One week at a time,” An told the media after her first-round win over 20-year-old Kaloyana Nalbantova.
It was a small but noticeable sign of the progress she has made.
Three years ago, decorated commentator Gillian Clarke was thrilled to see An speak English during her post-match interviews. Earlier this year, at the All England Open, An revealed that she had been taking notes and attending weekly lessons as she worked on mastering the language.
On Monday, in the mixed zone at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, she needed little help from the translators, answering most questions in English with relative ease.
An Se-young is not alone in recognising that there is more to growing a global sport than what happens on court. Across badminton, players from South-east Asia and Europe have increasingly embraced English in interviews and social media, making themselves more accessible to fans beyond their home countries. Viktor Axelsen did this particularly well, building a huge following with his willingness to speak directly to fans, share his thoughts and engage in English. In a sport that has traditionally drawn much of its audience from Asia and Europe, that ability to communicate across borders has helped its biggest stars become personalities far beyond the badminton court.
HOW IS AN’S RECOVERY?
For An, on court, however, the questions were different.
Could the world No. 1, returning from a month-long injury lay-off, shake off the rust and manage the lingering pain in her foot?
The answer, for the most part, was yes.
An overcame her early rustiness and a foot injury to beat talented Bulgarian Nalbantova, the world No. 40, 21-14, 21-13 in less than 45 minutes, laying down an early marker in the women’s singles draw at the World Championships.
Her leg had been taped in the build-up to the tournament, but An looked largely untroubled as she moved through the opening-round contest, seemingly playing within herself as she found her rhythm.
An, who is eyeing a second World Championships gold medal, had pulled out of the Japan Open in July because of the foot injury. She subsequently took nearly a month away from competition before returning for the World Championships in Delhi.
“It was not easy today. But I tried to stay calm. I think it’s getting better. I am getting better physically. I hope to get better in the next match.
“A little pain (in terms of jumps), but I tried to get into rhythm back. I hope to return to great rhythm.
“I need more recovery, my ankle. It’s getting better,” she said.
For a player who has made winning look almost routine, the priority now is not to rush the recovery.
A LEGEND AT 25!
At 25, An is already one of the most decorated shuttlers of her generation. She won her first World Championships title in Copenhagen in 2023 before adding Olympic gold in Paris a year later. And her dominance has only grown since.
Wearing her famous Rambo headband, An looks focused and fierce on court. Away from the intensity of competition, though, she is usually quick with a smile.So, when she was asked if she was aware of the ‘legend’ tag that has begun to follow her at such a young age, An did not shy away from it.
“It’s pressure (being called a legend). I enjoy my badminton. If I am called a legend, I will be happy.”
“There is always pressure in most tournaments. But, that’s part of the game. So, I am happy to carry that,” she said.
The numbers behind her dominance are staggering.
In 2025, An won 73 of her 77 matches, losing just four, and claimed 11 BWF titles — equalling Kento Momota’s record for the most titles in a single season. Her 94.8 per cent win rate was another measure of a season in which she seemed almost impossible to stop.
She began 2026 by winning the Malaysia Open and then defended her India Open title in New Delhi. Her run in the capital was particularly emphatic: she won the tournament without dropping a single game, making her return to the same city for the World Championships feel like a natural continuation of that dominance.
The foot injury briefly interrupted that run. Now, after nearly a month away, An is back in Delhi, slowly warming her engines for another tilt at the biggest prize in badminton.
She will take on the winner of the first-round match between Indonesia’s Thalita Ramadhani and Peru’s Ines Lucia Castillo in the second round on Wednesday.
For now, the message from An is simple.
“This tournament is also great. I like India,” she said, signing off.
She loves India.
Is that a statement or a warning sign?
– Ends
