Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty Discuss Expectations Ahead of India Open 2026
Reflections on Success and Expectations
The champions of the 2022 India Open, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, shared their thoughts on managing the high expectations that have accompanied their rise in badminton since the early 2020s. They have achieved numerous record-breaking titles and medals, and are now reuniting with their coach Tan Kim Her, who played a pivotal role in their early careers.
As the world number three pair, they spoke to a media outlet ahead of the 2026 India Open, set to take place at the Indira Gandhi Arena in New Delhi starting Tuesday. This event also serves as a test for the upcoming BWF World Championships, which will be held at the same venue later this year.
Recent Performance and Future Aspirations
In their latest outing at the Malaysia Open, Satwik and Chirag faced an early exit in the quarterfinals. Despite winning a bronze medal at the BWF World Championships, they are eager for another title, having last claimed victory at the Thailand Open in May 2024.
Hailed as strong contenders for a medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, they were unfortunately eliminated in the quarterfinals. Their notable achievements since then include a bronze at the BWF World Championships and silver medals at both the Hong Kong Open and China Masters last year.
Navigating Competitive Challenges
The duo acknowledged the increased competition in badminton, with Satwiksairaj stating that they no longer focus heavily on external expectations. He noted that the sport has become significantly more competitive, with many young players emerging and challenging established athletes.
"The competition has intensified over the years, making it tough to face even the top 30 players. It's crucial to maintain health and performance, as players often compete at less than 100% capacity," he explained.
Reflecting on their performance last year, Satwik admitted they played through minor injuries but managed to secure significant wins when fully fit.
Anticipation for Home Crowds
Satwiksairaj expressed excitement about competing in front of home fans during the India Open and the World Championships later this year. He emphasized the importance of playing in front of a supportive crowd, recalling the packed audience from the previous year.
He encouraged young aspiring players to attend the matches, as witnessing top-level play can greatly enhance their learning experience.
Reuniting with Coach Tan Kim Her
The pair is thrilled to have Tan Kim Her back as their coach. He originally paired them in 2016 when they were ranked between 400-500 in the world. After his departure in 2019, they climbed to the top 15, and now, with his return, they are among the top three.
"Working with Tan has always been beneficial. We have achieved so much since he first coached us, and we look forward to more successes together," Chirag remarked.
Goals for the World Championships
Chirag reminisced about watching the World Championships in 2009 when India first hosted the event. He expressed a desire to upgrade their medal tally, hoping for a gold or silver after securing two bronze medals so far.
"It's exciting to think about playing in the World Championships again after 17 years. I hope we can improve our medal color this time around," he concluded.