it is a 4-star tournament because of the prize mone[125000$].last time too it was a 4-star tournament and not a six-star one
I was also shocked when i saw that it was a 4 stars tournament, but it's without any doubts the most prestigious tournament !!
Interesting ! isn't it ? 4 stars tournament but the most prestigious tournament !! How come ? Not only the most prestigious one, but most wanted one !!! Is it because All England is the oldest badminton tournament ?
More like a tradition, I think. Also, the schedule is good, as it has some lower ones as warm-up, and imm. followed by many 4-6* events.
Yes for historical reasons, tradition, birthplace of badminton, badminton Mecca, etc, but if the AE continues to be a 4-star event, I think it won't be long when it will lose its luster unless it is held close to another big tournament, like 5-or 6-star, in Europe, where proximity is convenience and less travelling time and preparation. In the past, the strong badminton nations in the East were largely economically under- or undeveloped, therefore a trip to England or Europe was a much heralded novelty, but now that such countries have attained a higher level of economic success and overseas travelling is affordable to many, Europe is easily accessible for those with a higher level of disposable income. While the AE remains 4-star, even some of the late-comers like Denmark, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, etc, and tiny Singapore, are now able to attract sponsors for a higher prize-money equivalent to 5- and 6-stars. Maybe a 7-star tournament will be a reality soon, for how else can we keep up with Tennis if incentives and rewards remain paltry? Professionals naturally look forward to higher prize monies, at least to keep up with inflation, and if England continues to remain conservative and unwilling to motivate the sponsors for more money, then the other tournaments with higher prizes will indeed supercede its prominence in time to come! Especially now that the IBF HQ is to be moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I would think that if China continues to grow double-digit and the large commercial houses there are looking towards overseas expansion, China will become a fertile ground for uplifting world badminton and prize-monies will then soar to equal, if not surpassing, those now enjoyed by tennis!