Paris: Star Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth might be inching towards the coveted World No.1 ranking after his record-equalling Super Series win here Sunday but he stated that he does not want to lose sleep over chasing it.
The eighth seeded Indian by winning here becomes the first Indian and fourth men’s singles player in the world to win four or more Super Series titles in a calendar year. His performance of winning two successive Super Series will see him gain substantially when the BWF chart is released Thursday.
Asked if he was looking at the No.1 spot, Srikanth remained a bit vague. “I don’t know (if I will be No. 1). Definitely, I will go up higher in the rankings but I am not sure where I will be. I have not been pursuing it. That is not my goal,” Srikanth said.
Srikanth said World No.1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark is still way ahead of him in terms of points. “There were a lot of differences in points between me and Viktor before the Denmark Open. I don’t think I have been able to make up on those points to be World No.1, I might improve a rank or two at the most,” informed Srikanth.
Talking about the last couple of weeks, Srikanth said: “I am just happy with the way I performed in the last couple of weeks. There were some close matches. I feel I was little lucky to pull off those matches, otherwise I am pleased how it went for me.”
With back-to-back titles in Denmark and France, the Indian shuttler has sealed his place at the top of Destination Dubai Rankings and would be a prime contender for the Super Series Final title in December. The top eight with the maximum number of points from 12 Super Series events get the chance to play in Dubai.
Srikanth said he has not yet given a thought how he will plan his schedule. “Not really sure about my coach… will only decide after discussions with my coach (Pullela Gopichand) how I will go about my programme. The coach will take a call on the next tournaments to play,” Srikanth informed.
The 25-year-old from Guntur played a long semifinal match against compatriot HS Prannoy and said he was a tad concerned as to whether he would recover for the summit clash. He said he was surprised at the way his body held up. “I am surprised myself a little, but yeah the way we have been training last 9-10 months, it is really playing its part now. So I have to just keep working hard now,” the shuttler asserted.
Press Trust of India