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‘Sat-Chi were tired, and suddenly something happened and China changed tactics’: Tan Kim Her

September 1, 2025
<a href="https://revsportz.in/author/boria/" rel="author" class="url fn n" itemprop="url"><img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e660b408ca5a915f1c718d0cd98a879b?s=32&d=mm&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e660b408ca5a915f1c718d0cd98a879b?s=64&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-32 photo' height='32' width='32' decoding='async'/> <span class="" itemprop="name">Boria Majumdar</span></a>
Tan Kim Her(L) Satwik-Chirag(R). Image Credit: Badminton Photo

Boria Majumdar

In an interview with RevSportz’s Editor-in-Chief Boria Majumdar, India badminton team’s men’s doubles coach Tan Kim Her opens up on the World Championships efforts and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. Excerpts:

Boria: You first thoughts on the performance of the boys at the World Championships.

Tan Kim Her: After seeing the draw, we knew it was not easy because we are not seeded. We sat down and I talked the boys and asked them to take one game at a time. First, we had to face Chinese Taipei and hence before the start, we analyzed opponent’s game watching videos. I asked the boys to be mentally well prepared, think positive and dare to take a risk. So the players were well prepared.

Boria: Was the quarter-final against Chia and Soh was massive mentally, after the Paris Olympics loss?

Tan: Before this tournament we played them in Japan Open and China Open where we lost to them so we analysed their videos as well and saw which area do they normally attack, I note and remind the players of their weak points. The opponents cover everything. Malaysia onwards they were losing confidence and we were putting pressure on them. Even in the second set we were leading. So, this time I think the boys did a very good job. 

Boria: What happened in the semi-final? Was it pressure or something? 

Tan: Even I feel there should not be any problem against the Chinese as we are quite comfortable there  but suddenly something happened and China changed tactics. In few shots they caught them off guard and suddenly the players got under pressure and didn’t know what to do when serving which triggered them.

Boria: What happened in the starting of the decider game after a very good second match?  

Tan: I spoke to the boys and they couldn’t catch the service there from China as they have a very solid service structure, sometimes they flick and sometimes they serve very low so Chirag couldn’t put pressure on them and China ended up controlling everything. At that time also, I told them to calm down and that we will have to think. Unfortunately, receiving them was difficult. And our boys were very tired which was evident because their smashing was slowing down.

Boria: Second bronze medal in World Championships, finished in the semi-finals. What is the way forward with a huge year coming up including the Asian Games? How confident and hopeful are you?

Tan: I spoke to the boys and we have tournaments every month, we have open tournaments and we cannot pick every tournament. So the main target will be to pick major tournaments like All England, World Championships, Super Series final. This year also, we tried. But Chirag got injured for All England so we missed the chance but this time at least got a medal but our next target is the Super Series final. In other Opens, it doesn’t mean that we don’t have target, it is just that we will play our best and see if we can win but make sure we maintain our performance.

Boria: Are you confident that the targets that you have set, the boys can achieve them?

Tan: I always believe in myself and them also, and discipline-wise they are good, very motivated and always looking for a big event. So I am confident with them.

Boria: All the very best to you and keep going.

 

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Listen to the full interview here