They are the best we have at the moment, and they have proved time and again that they are capable of being the best in the world. From winning the Thomas Cup to winning the Commonwealth Games gold, a World Championship medal, the French Open Super series to, most recently, the Badminton Asia Championships, Satwik Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are now one of the most feared teams on the doubles circuit. And if coach Mathias Boe is to be believed, they are ready for the big multi-sport events like the Asian Games and the Olympics. In this conversation with Boria Majumdar, editor-in-chief of RevSportz, Chirag and Satwik opened up on their recent Dubai win, the Sudirman Cup, the Olympic cycle and much more.
Boria: Dubai was special. Time and again, you both were able to comeback from tough situations. A game down and 8-13 down, it was a special comeback in the final. That win must have given you a lot of confidence. How are you both looking at the Sudirman Cup, for this time round, there is a lot more expectation with the Thomas Cup win still fresh in people’s memory.
Satwik: I find it hard to believe that we have been able to win these many tournaments. I have said this to you earlier also that the Thomas Cup win still seems unreal. To win one of the biggest tournaments for your country with everyone watching is something really special. And that’s what makes the Sudirman Cup more important. It is not Satwik and Chirag who will play in China. It is India that will play. And we will be playing for the flag. For an athlete, there is nothing more special than this. We are confident we can do well despite ours being a difficult group with Malaysia and Chinese Taipei.
#SudirmanCup2023 is on the bucket list of Asian Men’s Doubles Champions @satwiksairaj & @Shettychirag04.
In this exclusive interview the duo opens up on the upcoming tournament, areas they need to improve and Mathias Boe’s contribution. @AgeasFederal @BoriaMajumdar #Suzhou2023 pic.twitter.com/sgOFLFMqsb
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) May 12, 2023
Boria: Do you both enjoy the growing interest, the media glare and the fact that fans are continuously speaking about the Sudirman Cup? In other words, do you enjoy stardom or does it feel like you have more pressure now?
Chirag: People do recognise us these days, and come and ask for selfies and autographs. One has to admit it feels good. You feel proud that you have been able to do something for your country. In India, people look at the big events. We always remember the big events. And here the term ‘big event’ is relative. The Asian Games or Olympics will always be more important than a Super series 1000 in India. However many super series you win, it is the Asian Games or the Olympics or the Thomas Cup that people will remember. It is a reality, and we are conscious of it. We want to win these events for India, and want to do well in the Sudirman Cup and then the Asian Games. That’s when more and more people will start following the sport, and that’s how we will improve as a collective. If we see Neeraj Chopra, for example, many more have now taken to Javelin since he won the Olympic gold. That’s what we need more in our country.
Boria: Chirag, you mentioned the Sudirman Cup. It will also see the start of the Olympic qualification cycle.
Chirag: Yes, and the calendar is packed for the next 12 months. There is non-stop badminton, and the key is to retain fitness. If we are fit and healthy, we have the game to do well in most tournaments. As long as we are able to maintain our fitness and stay focused, we are ready. On our day, we can beat anyone and we know that. The Olympic qualification is very much in our minds, and we will do all we can to make it as soon as possible. That will allow us to plan better for Paris 2024. Winning a medal in Paris for India is our ultimate dream, and we will leave no stone unturned in trying to do so.
Boria: A word on Mathias.
Chirag: His contribution is very important. He has been there and done that. He knows what it takes to win at the highest level, and knows our game very well. Under him, we have only become better over time, and his presence is a massive plus for us going into the Olympic cycle.
Boria: Satwik, it is important that Chirag mentions fitness. That’s the key. You had a fitness concern this year, and the comeback wasn’t easy. How are things now, and are you both completely recovered and ready to get going again?
Satwik: The comeback wasn’t easy. No comeback ever is. When you are at home, not allowed to play badminton, and watching your team play in away competitions, it is very tough on you mentally. And then we played the All England straight up. It was hard. Each day I was at home, I would be praying to come back as soon as possible. And I am glad it happened. That’s why the Swiss Open win was special. It meant we were able to play tough matches on consecutive days for close to a week, and not feel any physical discomfort. We are both feeling good at the moment and if that continues, we are confident of some really good results in the coming months. Winning medals for India is the reason we are here. That’s why we play sport. And we know what it means to our people back home. We will do all [we can] to fulfil the expectations our fans have from us.