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NEW DELHI: A recurring shoulder injury has been a source of frustration for Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and, at times, irritation for his partner Chirag Shetty, but the Indian doubles pair have no plans to change their aggressive approach as they target a strong showing at their first World Championships on home soil.Satwik has been managing the shoulder problem for the last few years, with recurring flare-ups making it difficult for the pair to maintain momentum after a good tournament. The duo won the Singapore Open Super 750, their first title in two years, but subsequent injury concerns forced them to retire midway through matches and withdraw from the Indonesia Open and Japan Open.“It is always tough with the shoulder injury. I have been managing it for the last few years. It is on and off all the time. Sometimes I feel good and sometimes I feel not so good. It is frustrating. Obviously, you have the momentum and you want to continue,” Satwik told PTI.“If you play a good tournament and then again you are off, it is irritating for your partner as well. It is not easy, but we are used to it. We know how to handle this situation. We have to respect the body as well.”
Shoulder concerns won’t change attacking game
The injury may have disrupted their schedule, but Satwik insisted it will not force the pair to abandon the style that has made them one of the leading men’s doubles combinations in the world.“Our game style is the same. We didn’t change so much. It will be aggressive and explosive. That is what we played when we started and we will stick to that only,” he said.The men’s doubles draw remains notoriously unpredictable, with six different combinations from five countries winning the last six editions of the World Championships.“Doubles has evolved over the years. It is much faster, a lot of flat exchanges and long rallies, and every pair in this tournament is quite strong,” Chirag said.“In men’s doubles you can’t say that this pair will go on to win the title. So I won’t say there is a favourite. It is an open competition. Every pair is capable of winning a medal.”
First four strokes crucial for Indian pair
The Indians believe the opening exchanges of rallies could hold the key, particularly against opponents who are quick with their rackets and adept at controlling the shuttle early.“We need to be really focused on our first couple of strokes once the rally starts. I think we can manage the rallies, but the first four strokes will definitely be important. No matter if you’re serving or receiving, it becomes quite crucial,” Chirag said.The strategy worked particularly well during their Singapore Open triumph, while the coaching team has urged them to keep their approach simple and focus on one match at a time.Satwik said there has been no major tactical overhaul despite his latest injury setback. “We have been working with Tan coach for quite some time. We just needed that small break. We have been training the same way for some time. It is not new things. The tactics will be the same,” he said.“As we are coming back from the injury, it will be tough to adjust, so just find that momentum and try to play as deep as possible.”
Home crowd adds excitement, not pressure
Satwik is also looking forward to playing a World Championships on home soil and believes the occasion should be embraced rather than feared.“It is fun and challenging, exciting. There is no pressure. Everyone says pressure is privilege. We love taking the challenge. Hopefully, we will handle it in a positive way. Hopefully, people will come in good numbers and see how badminton is growing,” he said.The home World Championships also brings back memories of the 2009 edition in Hyderabad, which Satwik attended when his brother was a volunteer and his father worked as a line umpire.“I have very good memories from 2009… Now I am playing back in India at the World Championships. It is quite a long journey from a small town to here, so it is a great thing to remember,” Satwik said.
