"First tournament where Massimo Costantini will be accompanying us as coach" - Harmeet Desai spells out significance of Lagos WTT ahead of Paris Games
With an eye on Paris 2024, Harmeet Desai is all set to showcase his talent at the ongoing WTT Contender event in Lagos under the watchful eyes of coach Massimo Costantini who rejoined the Indian camp after six years.
Harmeet, who will represent India in both individual and team events at the Olympic Games, revealed that trying out different combinations for the vital doubles fixtures ahead of the Olympics will be a key focus area for the team.
During an exclusive interaction with Sportskeeda, the veteran paddler spelled out the benefits of playing the Lagos WTT as a preparatory ahead of the Olympic Games.
"I think now it's like a preparatory tournament where we can tune in and understand how our form is. Whatever small tactical changes will be required for the Olympics, we can definitely get feedback during the tournament." Harmeet stated.
"These tournaments will definitely give us a an idea about how we are playing and so it's really important. And also this will be the first tournament where Massimo Costantini will be accompanying us as a coach. So we will be also getting his help and also he will be able to see us closely," he added.
Italian Massimo Costantini, who coached the Indians back in 2009 before a second two-year stint between 2016 and 2018, has now returned and is with the team in Lagos.
Preparing for the doubles events remains foremost on Harmeet's mind as the clock ticks down to the Paris Games. Partnering with Manav Thakkar after a long gap is something that Harmeet is looking forward to apart from trying out a few different pairs before embarking on the all-important Olympic campaign.
The stalwart from Surat, who will also take part in WTT tournaments in Tunis and Bangkok, revealed the pairings that the Indians will try out ahead of the Olympic Games.
"The major part would be the doubles event. I haven't been playing with Manav (Thakkar) since the last one-and-a-half, two years, but this will be the chance before the Olympics to try out a couple of different pairs because we are playing three tournaments," Harmeet Desai disclosed.
"So, in two tournaments, I'll be partnering with Manav, and in one tournament I'll be playing with Sathiyan (Gnanasekaran). In the other tournament, Manav and Sharath Kamal will be partnering. So we have these options because doubles will play a very important role in the Olympic Games in the team events," the Arjuna Awardee stated.
The 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medalist also delved into why the doubles events assume significance in the context of the Olympics.
"Because, in the team events, the competition starts with the doubles matches. So it's really important to start well. And I think this kind of experience will definitely help to reflect on our strategy for the Olympic Games," he affirmed.
"It was one of the best tournaments for me" - Harmeet Desai looks back at WTT Contender Lagos 2023
A bronze medal at the Lagos WTT holds special memories for Harmeet Desai, who described the previous edition of the tournament as one of the best he has ever played.
The 30-year-old paddler explained that beating a couple of top-ranked players after having slid down the rankings en route to Lagos 2023 was satisfying, especially since he made it to the semifinals.
A memorable win over Jang Woojin of Korea (who was then ranked 12th in the world) followed by yet another against China's Xiang Peng is something that Harmeet continues to cherish.
"It was one of the best tournaments for me because I started off from the qualification event. I had dropped in my rankings during that time. My form wasn't that good. After advancing from the qualifications with three wins, I defeated Jang Woojin, who was a world top 10 player and also a Chinese national team player (Xiang Peng) in the quarterfinals," Harmeet Desai recalled.
"Before that, I had defeated a player from Slovakia (Lubomir Pistej in the round of 32). So, three good matches in the qualification rounds and then three very good players in the main draw event and reaching the semifinals was a really big tournament for me," he declared.
Lagos, therefore, is close to the heart for Harmeet Desai, who grew in confidence after breaking into the top 100 in the world rankings thanks to his exploits in the tournament last year.
"It gave me a lot of confidence and also it's really close to my heart because beating so many good players in such a big tournament was really special for me," said Harmeet as he turned the clock back.
Harmeet Desai got past Abdulbasit Abdulfatai of Nigeria 11-4, 11-5, 11-4 in the round of 32 of the men's singles event at the WTT Contender event currently underway in Lagos.