The Indian badminton duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are prioritizing staying injury-free in the lead-up to the World Championships next month, rather than setting specific goals. Despite a year of frustrating starts and stops due to recurring injuries, the pair is managing to maintain a high level of performance.
Satwik and Chirag have had a consistent season, reaching three semi-finals and a quarter-final at the Indonesia Open in the past month. They started the year strong with semi-final appearances at the Malaysia Open and India Open in January. However, Satwik's health concerns and Chirag's persistent back injury sidelined them for several weeks. They made a comeback with a semi-final showing at the Singapore Open before their quarterfinal finish in Indonesia.
The Japan Open Super 750 is underway, and Satwik and Chirag began their campaign with a victory over South Korea's Kang Min Hyuk and Kim Won Ho. The Japan Open will be followed by the China Open Super 1000 before the World Championships in Paris, scheduled from August 25 to 31.
Satwik expressed that their main focus is to achieve complete fitness. He noted the constant cycle of one of them recovering while the other deals with a new issue. He emphasized that they haven't been able to play without injuries for the past year, and their current aim is to be healthy. Chirag echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of the break after the Indonesia Open for recovery. They had initially planned to participate in the North American circuit but decided to prioritize rest and recovery after the Singapore-Indonesia leg. Chirag mentioned that he wasn't in optimal condition leading up to the Singapore and Indonesia Open but feels much better after a couple of weeks of rest.
Looking ahead to the World Championships, Satwik stated that they are not thinking too far ahead and have no specific goals at the moment. While they want to perform well, their priority is to stay healthy. He believes that if they can stay healthy, they are capable of achieving their goals, but injuries have been a hindrance. Currently, both players are feeling good after a break since Singapore and are fit enough to compete.
The pair's focus on injury prevention comes after a year of dealing with various physical setbacks. Despite these challenges, they have remained consistent performers, reaching the semi-finals of the Malaysia Open, India Open, and Singapore Open. Satwik and Chirag recognize the importance of managing their bodies and workload, especially with the Paris Olympics approaching. They aim to be smart in their approach to tournaments and prioritize their health to ensure they can compete at their best.
