Not Olympics yet, Indian badminton star Prannoy aim to finish at top three in world
HS Prannoy may be the frontrunner for the Olympic but shuttler Prannoy doesn’t want to think about Paris just yet. In fact, he is focusing on short-term goals like finishing into the top three players in the world. Prannoy is currently ranked ninth in the world while he has been the most consistent performer among Indian players since one year. For Prannoy it will be a challenge to become top three in the world in the coming months.
Prannoy won the Malaysia Masters in May this year. While last week, he also came close to winning the title at the Australian Open 2023 in Sydney. But in the end, he had to be content with being the runner-up of the event.
Aiming to win big tournaments
Pranay said that I am probably in a good condition right now. After May I had some good tournaments but I would say that I’m never pleased. I have always aiming to go out on the court and win big tournaments. It has always been my ambition.
Since few years I have been able to play in the quarter-finals and semi-finals consistently. Now I am trying to go extra round and make my way to the finals and finally win those tournaments. Apart from two finals, Indian Badminton star HS Prannoy have been successful to reach three quarter-finals and one semi-final in the current season. In 2017 Prannoy was ranked eighth in the world rankings but due to health reasons his ranking was dropped to 33rd in 2021. However, he returned to the top 10 of list in December last year. After that May this year, achieving a career-best World No. 7 ranking.
A Challenge to be in the top three of the world in the coming months
HS Prannoy said to PTI, It will be a challenge for me to break into the top five or top three in the world. Which I can not do till now. I think that is my goal so far. Yet I am not thinking about the Olympics right now.
What Next: Prannoy will now compete in the World Championships to be held in Denmark from August 21-27. Next will be China Open Super 1000 from September 5 to10 and then followed by the Asian Games in Hangzhou (September 23-October 8).
In last two editions of the World Championships HS Prannoy successfully made their way to the quarter-finals in the , but he does not want to put himself under pressure especially after he has played three consecutive tournaments. He also said that I am not thinking about the World Championship right now, as it is only two weeks away. To be honest, we have played three tournaments in a row in Korea, Japan and Australia Open. Prannoy reached to the pre-quarterfinals in Korea and quarterfinals in Japan while to the finals in Australia. In the Japan and Australia he played some good matches against top players of the world.
When we have a look on World Championships, there is hardly 10 days. With the busy schedule of World Championships, it is going difficult to achieve 100 per cent in such a short time. But I will try to do best and prepare my body for the World Championships. I am not putting extra pressure on myself that I should do my best in the world championships.
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