New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS): India's star shuttler Saina Nehwal is likely to skip the $1000,000 Korea Open next month, the first Super Series Premier event of 2014, due to ill health.

An unwell Saina, who was also forced to skip the senior nationals that started here Tuesday, has informed the Badminton Association of India (BAI) to withdraw her entry from the Korea Open that is slated Feb 8-13.

"Saina has informed us that she is unwell and unfit. She is suffering from cough and cold and has asked us to withdraw her entry from the Korea Open Super Series Premier event next month. We have not done it yet but will do in due course of time," T.P.S. Puri, vice-president of Badminton Association of India (BAI), told IANS.

Puri added that Saina also decided to skip the ongoing senior nationals due to ill health.

When it was pointed out that Saina hasn't taken part in the nationals in the last five years, Puri said: "She had sent her entry this year. If she wasn't willing to participate this year, why would she send her entry for the tournament?"