HS Prannoy is a much-improved player and perhaps at the top of his game. But equally importantly, he now understands his body better, and knows when it tells him to go a little slow and calibrate his intensity. Speaking to Boria Majumdar ahead of the World Championships, Prannoy highlighted his plans for the next few weeks and seemed in control of what he wanted to do going forward. Excerpts from the conversation:
Boria: Is this the best badminton you have played?
Prannoy: I think, yes. To make two Super Series 500 finals in a span of four months has never happened before and I have also played multiple quarterfinals and semi-finals. I am feeling good on court and in training, so I will agree with you this is the best I have played.
Boria: It was a rigorous three weeks on the Asian circuit, but to see you at the end of the third week still looking strong physically was a great sight. That’s what stood out for me in the Australian Open final.
Prannoy: Yes, and for that, the credit goes to my team. To Bhaiya (Gopichand), Guru, my trainer and nutritionist. My trainer, for example, worked with me every single day, and that’s why you could see me fresh for every game. The recovery for every game was on track and the fact that I could manage this for the entire three weeks is something I was very satisfied with.
Boria: It is almost time for the World Championships, and you and Gopi are both traveling on the 18th. How are you looking at the World Championships, the China Open and, most importantly, the Asian Games?
Prannoy: Look, to tell you the truth, the body isn’t fully recovered for the World Championship. The truth is I needed a little more time to recover and be fully ready. Having said that, I now know there will be these phases when I will not be 100 percent. Rather, I will be at 60-70 percent and I will make do with it. So I am aware that it is not the best scenario, but I will try to manage the situation. And I will not put any pressure on myself, because there are 20 tournaments to be played in the year and there will be occasions like this.
Coming to the China Open and Asian Games, I think there is enough time before the Asian Games for me to be fully ready and get the training time I need. So I am much looking forward to the Asian Games. We almost have the entire Thomas Cup team, so we will do our best to win a medal, and thereafter, each one of us will gun for an individual medal and give our very best.
Boria: So am I to understand then that more than the World Championship, in your case it is the Asian Games which you are more focussed on? Or will you push your body that extra bit for the World Championship as well?
Prannoy: As I said, I will have the time needed to be in the best shape for the Asian Games. To push the body at times is counterproductive. I have done this in the past, and what happens is you are then forced to go out for a period of 3-4 months. I can’t afford that, and I need to be realistic about the body. So I won’t do anything foolhardy, and take things as they come.
Boria: When I see you play now, it seems you are a much more confident player. A more aggressive player whose body language oozes confidence. Your opponents must also be feeling they are playing HS Prannoy. Is this a post-Thomas Cup development?
Prannoy: Yes, it is. It is the result of getting a number of big matches under my belt. You start to feel more confident and that’s what has happened. Earlier, I would play 3-4 such intense matches in a year. The plan always was to increase this number to at least 12-15 such matches in a year. Now we are right up there with this number, and that’s what has added to my confidence.
Boria: 71 shots in a rally. A gruelling final where you were up 19-14 [in the final game]. How do you deal with such a reversal because this is what sport teaches you? It was hard for each one of us and you are the one who faced it. What impact do such matches leave on your mental health?
Prannoy: It is difficult. If I say it wasn’t difficult, I would be lying. Having said that, it is also important at times to feel the sadness. Feel the disappointment and not get over with it or brush it off. You can’t just brush it off and move on. It is better you go through it for that’s when you really recover. I was down for a day in Australia, but then when I woke up the next morning, I felt a sense of gratitude that I was able to play two finals, play as good as I did and also play at the level I am playing. So there was much to feel good about. When you are able to see things in perspective, it helps you deal with such losses. And it hurt more because I was not even in the game. Then I worked the hardest to make a comeback, and then I was in total control when I let it go. That’s what was painful. But better in a Super Series 500 final than on a much bigger occasion and a much bigger moment. The important thing is to learn from this and not make this mistake when I am faced with such a situation on a much bigger platform. That’s when I need to embrace it and win.
Boria: You are clearly referring to an Asian Games or the Olympics perhaps. I am sure the way you are playing, you will have a chance and I am sure this experience will make you better. Wish you all the very best, Prannoy.
Prannoy: Thank you very much for all the support, and please keep supporting the sport.
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