Hyderabad: Kidambi Srikanth who won the Danish Open and French Open Super Series titles in two weeks returned here to a rousing welcome here Tuesday. The shuttler stated that the days of domination of Lin Dan or Lee Chong Wei were over and the tournaments are far more wide open than ever.
“For a long time I think (Malaysian) Lee Chong Wei and (China’s) Lin Dan have dominated badminton. And now it has become more open. Me, Viktor (Axelsen) and even other Indian players are winning tournaments. It’s always good for the sport when you have so many people with the prowess to win tournaments,” Srikanth stated.
“These days, there are many players who are playing really well and anybody can beat anyone on their given day. So, it’s always important to be at your best against anyone,” added the shuttler.
Asked if he thought Lee Chong and Lin Dan were nearing the end of their careers, Srikanth remained a bit vague. “I can’t really say that they are at the end of their careers. They have played at the highest level and have the experience to come back. One can’t take them lightly. Dan played in the final of World Championships. They definitely are tough every time you play them. But, we need to believe in ourselves that we can do well,” Srikanth pointed out.
Srikanth informed he will be competing in the Nationals (next week), besides the China and Hong Kong Open and the BWF World Super Series Finals in Dubai in December. “I am very happy now with all the success I got. But I am not going to sit on my laurels,” he stated.
He also said match against compatriot HS Prannoy in the French Open was also a tough one. “That win in the semifinals of the French Open was a huge confidence-booster. Prannoy has been playing very well and it was a tough fight. To come through it unscathed helped a lot in winning the final also,” Srikanth stated.
“Going into the French Open, it was a tough draw and with top players losing in initial rounds, there were so many thoughts running in my mind, but still I told myself that I will take it round by round. It worked for me,” he signed off.
Press trust of India