Former All England champion
Speaking on Thursday, the badminton legend emphasized that the result should not be dismissed as a mere one-off occurrence. Instead, he highlighted a recurring trend where India’s leading players often follow high-profile tournament victories with premature exits in subsequent events. According to Padukone, the current support structures available to the athletes are robust, meaning the onus is now on the players to elevate their performance levels through increased effort.
Prioritizing peak performance and future talent
Padukone, who was in the city to announce a partnership between the Padukone School of Badminton and the International Institute of Sports Management, offered a strategic path forward for the current generation. He suggested that players should carefully select four or five major tournaments each year to target for peak performance, while simultaneously working to eliminate the tendency for early-round losses at other competitions.
Despite his critique of recent results, Padukone expressed optimism regarding the depth of the singles pipeline in India. He highlighted the emergence of Ayush Shetty in the men’s circuit, alongside promising women’s players such as Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma. He reaffirmed his belief that singles remains the country's primary strength, though he acknowledged that developing world-class doubles combinations presents a more complex challenge.
Sindhu remains a benchmark for dedication
During his address, Padukone pointed to P.V. Sindhu as a model for younger athletes to follow. He cited her victory at the Japan Open as clear evidence of her enduring hunger for success, even after a career filled with significant achievements. At 31, Sindhu continues to demonstrate a drive to compete at the highest level, proving that she is not content to simply rest on her past accomplishments. Padukone noted that her commitment to the sport serves as an important example for the rest of the squad to emulate as they look to improve their overall consistency on the world stage.
