H S Prannoy embodies resolve and resilience. The top shuttler had been laid low by a spate of injuries and a dip in form a couple of years ago, but displaying an exemplary fighting spirit and an insatiable hunger for improvement, he exorcised his demons to be the most consistent Indian singles player in the last 12 months. At 31, the Thiruvananthapuram native is now India's biggest medal hope at next year's Paris Olympics.
An individual BWF World Tour title had eluded Prannoy till he won the Malaysia Masters 2023 in May, and he has been at the zenith of his powers ever since.
Prannoy, who secured a bronze medal at the BWF World Badminton Championships the other day, talks about his giant-killing spree at major events in recent times and the transformation into the player he is now.
At the World Championships semifinals, you lost to Thailand's Kunalvut Vitidsarn after winning the first game. Where did it go wrong?
It was a gripping encounter. The match was in my grasp when I won the first game and took a 5-1 lead in the second. It was then I started experiencing fatigue. Before the semifinals, I had played two back-to-back marathon matches. It took a toll on my body, leaving me physically exhausted. I did not get enough time to charge up my body to play such a high-voltage match. In the latter part of the match, I was not able to move smoothly on the court.
You have the best head-to-head record against Olympic champion and World No. 1 Viktor Axelsen in the last ten years. What is the secret behind beating the best in the business consistently?
When I walk onto the court, I don't think about how 'bigger' my opponent is. I think that's my biggest strength. I play every match with equal intensity. I have never given up without fighting till the end. While playing against higher-ranked opponents, the pressure would be on them. If we go into attack mode from the get-go, doubts would start creeping into their mind. Winning the Thomas Cup was a big turning point in my career. That tournament helped me realize I can beat anyone on any given day.
In the current season, you have won as many as 10 matches after losing the first game. Is a 'slow start' part of any strategy?
I always try to get into the zone slowly before dominating the opponent. Often, I struggle to keep pace with younger opponents at the start of a match. To overcome it, I would play defensively and dissect the opponent's playing style and game plan. As the game progresses, their stamina might start to drain. During this period, my experience would come in handy to tighten the grip on the match.
What are your expectations from the upcoming Asian Games?
Currently, most of the top-ranked badminton players are Asians. Winning a medal at the Asian Games will be a massive challenge. However, if I maintain my current form, I think I will be able to return home with a medal. India has a bright chance in the team event as the same players who won the Thomas Cup will be representing the country at the Asian Games as well.
