Satwik’s shoulder is my main concern: Tan Kim Her
Tan Kim Her Eyes Satwik’s Shoulder as Key Factor for World Championships
Bharatmorningnews.com – India’s chief doubles coach Tan Kim Her is balancing cautious optimism as the BWF World Championships approach. The tournament will take place at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium between August 17 and 23, with the home crowd eager to see their top pair perform.
At the center of India’s ambitions stands the leading men’s doubles combination of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. After completing a scheduled rest period and physical rehabilitation program, the duo will lead the national campaign. According to Tan, controlling residual physical problems and maintaining mental clarity will prove crucial for success.
Shoulder Recovery Progress
The Malaysian coach has confirmed that Rankireddy’s shoulder condition has improved substantially following rehabilitation work. The 25-year-old shuttler has been working through recovery efforts to restore full strength to the joint. While the shoulder has nearly returned to peak condition, Tan noted that managing this long-term issue remains an ongoing priority given the historical wear on the area.
“His shoulder has almost fully recovered now and he is ready to play. He is ready now,” Tan stated, recalling how he originally brought Rankireddy and Shetty together as partners ten years ago.
“He has gone under rehab. His shoulder has improved a lot. Of course, the rehab is still there, but he is getting much better.”
The shoulder problem traces back to 2018 when Rankireddy suffered a tear. The condition has fluctuated over the years, and the coach expressed hope that this time the player can push through it completely.
“Satwik’s shoulder (issue) is from 2018, when he had the tear. It has been on and off. Hopefully this time, he can overcome (the injury). That is my concern. Other than that, both of them are very committed, very disciplined. But with the injury there, we cannot do anything,” explained the 54-year-old coach.
Recent Tournament History and Draw
Rankireddy and Shetty concluded a two-year championship gap in May by claiming the Singapore Open title. However, the shoulder issue compelled the world No. 5 pair to withdraw from early stages of both the Indonesia Open in June and the Japan Open in July. They subsequently took a rehabilitation break to build toward the World Championships.
Seeded fifth in the tournament, the Indian pair received a convenient bracket. Following a first-round bye, they will meet the victor of either the Scotland pairing of Alexander Dunn and Adam Pringle or the Thai duo of Chaloempon Charoenkitamorn and Worrapol Thongsa-Nga. A quarter-final clash against the Chinese third seeds Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang appears likely, with those opponents holding Paris Olympics silver medal credentials.
Tactical Analysis and Mental Preparation
Tan emphasized maintaining a steady, game-by-game mindset given the unpredictable nature of the men’s doubles competition. He identified the Korean defending champions Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae as the most reliable competitors in an otherwise inconsistent field.
“Only the Korean pair is very consistent. Other than that, everyone is up and down. Satwik and Chirag are also quite consistent because they’re playing less tournaments. Others are playing around 18-19 tournaments, because of which they (their performances) are up and down,” Tan observed.
The coach highlighted that controlling the net and sustaining an offensive posture will help the Indian pair avoid extended rallies against strong defensive teams like the Koreans. Service quality plays a vital role in their strategy.
“Service is important. If your service is good, then you can consider 60% of your game is set. If your service is not good, then you’re gone. The Korean pair are very good overall. Both service and receiving are consistent. Then they have a very good defence as well,” Tan noted.
“For Satwik-Chirag, in attack, we are good. Service and receiving, we’re also okay. But defence wise, the Korean pair are much better than us. When we beat them recently (Singapore Open), we controlled the game and played more attack. When we attack, we stand a good chance to win.”
Regaining tournament rhythm after nearly a month away from competition remains essential for the pair. Tan acknowledged that while preparation has been solid, confidence levels after the break need monitoring.
“After Satwik-Chirag won the Singapore Open, the confidence was very good. But after that they had a break. Preparation has been good, but the important part is confidence. Since they have been out for almost one month plus, whether they can get the rhythm back or not, is very important. But they are positive. They should be okay.”
Beyond physical and technical readiness, the mental aspect will influence how far the Indian duo advances before their home supporters. To manage the pressure of expectations, both players have been working with mental health professionals as part of their preparation routine.
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