"Movement-wise we weren't settled in the first 11 points" - Satwik Rankireddy after Indian shuttlers pair's winning start at Paris Olympics 2024
After a few moments of indecision, some unforced errors, and a visible effort to overcommit, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty soaked in the outpouring emotions and delivered a clinical performance to win 21-17, 21-14 in their opening match of the Paris Olympics.
French pair Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar weren't a match for the Indian ace shuttlers on paper, and neither could they detest the claim on the day. However, after the game, Satwiksairaj, during post-match interaction with the Badminton World Federation (BWF), was quick to point out the lackluster performance initially.
"It's been a long time since we have played a good match, so you could see movement-wise we weren't settled in the first 11 points. We were in a hurry to play. but as the game went on, we controlled ourselves, 'Okay, it's our game, no need to panic'," the 23-year-old revealed.
"While we played a very good match, I remember we started well in the Thomas Cup too, but then we got a lot of injuries. Right now, I'm doing well [physically], so hopefully we'll do better in the upcoming matches."
Satwik was recuperating from a shoulder injury before the Olympic Games had was forced to give a wide berth to the Badminton Asia Championship in April, and more recently the Indonesian Open. However, the confidence in his fitness will be a huge boost for the pair as they next face German duo Marvin Seidel and Mark Lamsfuss on July 29.
“Badminton needs to be promoted as good as cricket” - Chirag Shetty
Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy's heroics have made them household names in India, and a medal hope for a billion. Gold winners at the Asian Games, World No. 1 in doubles ranking, and BWF World Tour 1000 series conquerers, the Sat-Chi duo are already pioneers in their regard.
Yet, their meteoric rise hasn't been met with sufficient investment and support in the sport of badminton.
“Badminton needs to be promoted as good as cricket,” Chirag Shetty opined on Saturday during the interaction with BWF.
Cricket has conquered the country's imagination for several decades now, however, Chirag stressed that with the support of corporate houses and the government badminton too can have its share of the limelight in India.
“I think we’ve had the performances as well to back it up, but cricket has done that for the past 30-odd years -- for us to be on the same level, it will take some time. Corporate houses need to step up and support sports other than cricket in India,” he said.
"But I can’t say that it’s not being done. It’s definitely improving, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.”