PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles shuttler Mohd Haikal Nazri has come forward to defend himself, stressing that he genuinely suffered a right ankle injury and did not deliberately create an excuse to skip the Swiss Open this week.

His explanation came after national men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi expressed his displeasure over the decision by Haikal and partner Choong Hon Jian to withdraw from the tournament.