Shi Yuqi's badminton career has been severely derailed by ongoing physical issues, culminating in his decision to effectively end his 2026 season early due to severe shoulder and back injuries.
The 30-year-old former World No. 1 has now officially applied for a protected ranking status to freeze his points after withdrawing from the entire European leg of the BWF World Tour, including the Arctic Open, Denmark Open, and French Open.
This move comes amidst widespread retirement rumors following a historic slump in form, marked by consecutive first-round exits at the 2026 World Championships and the China Masters.
A protected ranking will allow him him to prioritize medical rehabilitation without losing his entry eligibility for major tournaments, with the goal of attempting a full physical reset for the 2027 season.