We’ve had some wins to celebrate, but we’ve sadly also had to see some of Europe’s strongest players withdraw in the opening day of the YONEX All England Badminton Championships 2026.

Both Ben Lane/Sean Vendy and Mia Blichfeldt were forced to retire from their first-round matches due to injury.

On home soil, Ben Lane/Sean Vendy had been putting up a strong fight against top seeds Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae; however, Sean Vendy picked up an injury in the second game. The English pair had given the crowd some top-quality rallies against their opponents and were supported by the home crowd in Birmingham before being forced to retire from the match. 

Almost at the same time, Mia Blichfeldt also ended her campaign early. The Dane was facing sixth seed Putri Kusuma Wardani and withdrew while being down 1-11 in the opening game.

Speaking to TV 2 Sport after the match, Blichfeldt explained that she has been dealing with knee pain since the HYLO Open last year. The Danish player said that the discomfort worsened at the European Men’s & Women’s Team Championships, and she had withdrawn from last week’s German Open hoping to be ready for Birmingham.

She explained that scans have shown two minor cartilage injuries, one in each knee. She wanted to give it a try this week but she was unable to continue.

We wish both Sean Vendy and Mia Blichfeldt a speedy recovery.