The CLASH ROYALE Arctic Open 2024 began today with qualification rounds, followed by the opening matches of the main draw.
While European players experienced both victories and defeats, some saw positives even in loss. Among them were the newly paired Robin Tabeling from the Netherlands and Alexandra Bøje from Denmark. Their partnership was formed as Mathias Christiansen, Bøje’s usual partner, is suspended until July next year.
Tabeling and Bøje have been training for their debut at the Danish National Centre in Brøndby. “The intensity there is just on another level,” Tabeling remarked about their preparation.
Reflecting on their first match together, Tabeling shared, “We were excited, but seeing the draw, we knew it could have been better.” They were up against the second-seeded pair from China, Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin, who have been in strong form recently. Tabeling added, “It wouldn’t surprise me if they win the whole tournament.”
Despite the challenge, the new duo performed admirably, ultimately falling 17-21, 16-21. Tabeling commented, “We had a strong start, great energy, and we stuck to our game plan.”
Bøje was also upbeat about their performance. “We moved well on the court, and that’s something we can build on. For our first match as a team, we’re pleased with how we played. We’re hungry for the next competition,” she concluded, looking forward to the upcoming Denmark Open.
Denmark’s mixed doubles player Mathias Christiansen has been handed a one-year suspension by the Danish Sports Federation’s Doping Board due to errors in reporting his whereabouts to Anti-Doping Denmark.
Christiansen, who withdrew from the Paris 2024 Olympics after qualifying with Alexandra BØje, will be banned until July 21, 2025. The ‘whereabouts’ issue refers to the player’s duty to inform the anti-doping agency of his daily location. After three reporting mistakes within a year, Christiansen became eligible for the suspension.
“I’m relieved that there’s finally clarity on the matter and that I received the shortest possible ban,” said Christiansen. “I had no intention of cheating, and the ruling confirms that. Now, I’m focusing on my training to come back stronger.”
During the suspension, Christiansen will train privately at the Yonex Peter Gade Academy. Badminton Denmark’s sports manager, Jens Meibom, expressed disappointment about losing Christiansen for a year but acknowledged the importance of respecting the rules.
“We’re glad Mathias has clarity now and is already focused on training. We’ll be ready to welcome him back when his ban ends.”
Mathias Christiansen (February 20, 1994) is a Danish male badminton player.
In March 2013, Mathias Christiansen represented Denmark at the European Junior Badminton Championships in Ankara, Turkey, where he teamed up with David Daugaard to take second place in the men’s doubles; in May of the same year, the duo reached the quarterfinals of the Danish International.
In 2014, the duo of Mathias and Daugaard were successful at various international events, winning the Croatian International, the Greek International, the Belgian International and the Scottish Grand Prix Men’s Doubles, and they were ranked among the top 50 in the world rankings for the first time during the year (11.12.2014). Matias also began partnering Lina Grebach in mixed doubles at the end of the year, having reached the quarterfinals of the Irish Open.
In June 2023, Mathias teamed up with Bowe at the Singapore Open, winning her first career Super 750 mixed doubles title with a 2-1 victory over the Japanese pairing of Isao Watanabe/Arisa Higashino in the final.
