Three years after it last hosted a major event, China rolled out a grand welcome for the world’s best teams at the opening ceremony of the TotalEnergies BWF Sudirman Cup Finals 2023 on Friday night.

Teams were treated to an unforgettable experience of Suzhou’s rich culture, with music, opera and acrobatics at the welcome dinner; players were in awe as they prepared for the action beginning Sunday. Some reactions:

“It means a lot as I was born here. It’s a special feeling. I trained here when I was a kid, before I moved to Canada in 2014. I haven’t been able to travel here in four years. It’s a big moment for me. Suzhou is a different feeling for me, and with my family and relatives here supporting, it’s going to be very nice.”

– Adam Dong, Canada

“This is my first time in China. I didn’t expect this kind of welcome! So I’m really happy to be here. The scale is great and the atmosphere is very good, so I’m looking forward to the tournament. I’d always wanted to come to China because I’ve never been here, and now after Covid has passed we’re here and I’m happy!”

– Thinaah Muralitharan, Malaysia

“China’s a beautiful country, and the hosting is very good. The opening ceremony was great, I haven’t experienced anything like it. We had so much fun, and I’m looking forward to getting on court. It’s my second time at the Sudirman Cup. The first time, in Finland, was an unforgettable experience. So I was so excited to be coming, and here we are. It’s just two days and I’m already excited to play.”

– Nour Ahmed Youssri, Egypt

“This is my first time in China. It was always my dream to come to China. I’ve been to every World Tour event except here. It’s a new experience, because I heard so much about it. Last night’s dinner was a great experience and I was representing Egypt at the opening ceremony.”

– Adham Hatem Elgamal, Egypt

“The whole country is open and I’m very happy to come back here. China always has great tournaments and I’m very excited, it’s like going back to another hometown for  me. The stadiums are really big and the hotel is big and there are many volunteers. It feels very good to be a top player here, to enjoy this tournament.”

– Chou Tien Chen, Chinese Taipei

“It means a lot to come to China, especially after Covid, when we weren’t able to travel a lot. Being able to travel now and see and experience different things… just the level of badminton of the other countries, their skill level, I really admire them. This is my first Sudirman Cup. It’s a great honour to play with the best in the world.”

– Kaitlyn Ea, Australia

“I’m really happy because I have a lot of fans here. China has opened up again, and there are many fans waiting to watch the players. I last played the Badminton Asia Junior Championships four years ago (in Suzhou). It was very nice, as many fans had come to watch. I played singles and mixed doubles and we won the team event and the individual. So it’s a lucky place for me.”

– Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Thailand

“I missed the food and the accommodation and hospitality in China; it’s top notch. I last played here in 2019. It’s pretty exciting because now I have a new partner and he’s originally from this city.”

– Nyl Yakura, Canada

“I’m happy and excited to be here again. It’s a big stadium and the Chinese fans are amazing. When China hosts a tournament, it’s big, it’s not like everywhere else. China is always different. I did miss coming to China. Every match I played here has been amazing and in my memories.”

– Sapsiree Taerattanachai, Thailand