“India holds a special place in my heart. I have always given my best, and the players’ dedication and faith in me have been truly inspiring.” – Tan Kim Her
Tan Kim Her, the revered badminton coach, reflects on the incredible journey of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, the dynamic duo he paired together. Their bond is evident as they fondly call him “Daddy,” a testament to the mutual respect and affection they share. Tan’s first tenure as India’s doubles badminton coach (2015-2019) laid the foundation for their success, and now he is back after Mathias Boe’s departure post the Paris Olympics.
Return to India: A Homecoming
Tan Kim Her cherishes his time in India, calling it his home away from home. He recalls how dedicated and trusting the Indian players were during his first stint.
“India holds a special place in my heart. I have always given my best, and the players’ dedication and faith in me have been truly inspiring.” – Tan Kim Her
The Rise of Satwik & Chirag: From Budding Talents to Global Stars
When Tan first encountered Satwik and Chirag in 2015, they were young talents eager to make their mark. With Tan’s mentorship and later Mathias Boe’s guidance, they transformed into one of the world’s top doubles pairs.
“I must acknowledge Boe’s contribution. He played a crucial role in their progress, but remaining at the top is an even bigger challenge that demands unwavering discipline and focus.” – Tan Kim Her
A New Strategy for Greater Glory
Tan emphasizes the importance of targeting the right tournaments rather than trying to win every single event. He wants the duo to focus on major championships:
- All England Open
- World Championships
- Super Series Finals
- Olympic Games
“We don’t have to win every match, but we must perform at our best when it truly matters.” – Tan Kim Her
Refining the Game: Tactical Adjustments
Tan acknowledges that while Satwik and Chirag’s attack, side control, and serve-receive are strong, small errors can be costly. His focus is on refining those aspects, improving their game reading abilities, and enhancing strategic play.
Key Areas of Improvement:
- Positioning Flexibility – No longer sticking to rigid roles where Satwik remains at the back and Chirag at the front.
- Reading Opponents Better – Adjusting gameplay based on who they are up against.
- Minimizing Small Errors – Focusing on precision and reducing unforced mistakes.
“The game has changed. We need to keep evolving. Opponents study our patterns, so we must adapt to surprise them.” – Tan Kim Her
Handling Pressure: Learning from the Paris Olympics
Despite being India’s biggest medal hopes at the Paris Olympics, Satwik and Chirag fell short in the quarterfinals against Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Wooi Yik Soh. Having defeated them four times previously, the Indian pair struggled under pressure.
“The Olympics is different. It’s a mental game. Can you handle the pressure or not? The Malaysians were fearless in those crucial moments.” – Tan Kim Her
Developing India’s Doubles Future
While his primary focus remains on Satwik and Chirag, Tan is also mentoring other promising Indian doubles players:
Mixed Doubles:
- Dhruv Kapila & Tanisha Crasto
Women’s Doubles:
- Gayatri Gopichand & Treesa Jolly (Under Sumeeth Reddy)
- Second Group under Manu Attri
“I see great potential in Gayatri and Treesa to break into the world’s top four. Similarly, with well-structured planning, Dhruv and Tanisha have the ability to secure a place in the top ten.” – Tan Kim Her
The Road Ahead: A Bright Future for Indian Doubles Badminton
Tan Kim Her is determined to elevate India’s doubles badminton to greater heights. With meticulous planning, strategic improvements, and mental fortitude, he believes Indian pairs can become a dominant force on the global stage.
As Satwik and Chirag set their sights on All England, World Championships, and the next Olympics, one thing is certain – under Tan Kim Her’s guidance, Indian badminton is in safe hands.
