Ahead of the Indonesia Masters 2025, former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth shared his thoughts on preparing for the prestigious badminton tournament. Speaking about his focus, Srikanth emphasized that for him, the most important aspect is to give his best performance during the game.
“I’m in Indonesia and have trained well. I feel it’s important to play well during the one hour you get and let’s see what the outcome is, but what’s more important for me is to play well and give my best,” – Kidambi Srikanth.
Increased Competition in Badminton
Srikanth, who has achieved significant milestones in his career, including being a former World No. 1 and a Padma Shri Awardee, also spoke about the rising level of competition in badminton. He acknowledged how the sport has become more challenging in recent years, with players constantly raising their game.
“The competition has become tougher. The level at which everyone is playing has gone higher. It’s always important to continuously improve. There’s no stopping at any moment; you have to keep working on your game and strive to get better,” Srikanth said. “I’m just trying to do that, and knowing that we’ve won three Olympic medals, it’s a responsibility. Everyone is performing well and we are all pushing to win more medals.”
New Partnership with The Hundred
In addition to his on-court preparations, Srikanth also spoke about his collaboration with The Hundred, a leading sports brand focused on performance. Srikanth revealed how this new venture would allow him to directly influence the creation of badminton equipment, with a focus on ensuring that it meets the needs of the players.
“This new collaboration is an exciting step for me. Together with The Hundred, we are working on designing equipment that will improve player performance. I’m involved in sharing my ideas about racquet feel, shoe design, and other essential details to create high-quality products.” – Kidambi Srikanth.
The Indonesia Masters 2025 will mark the debut of this collaboration, showcasing The Hundred’s commitment to supporting and developing future badminton stars.
India’s Strong Contingent at Indonesia Masters 2025
Alongside Srikanth, other top Indian shuttlers will compete in the Indonesia Masters 2025, including PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and the men’s doubles duo of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy.
Key Fixtures for India’s Top Players:
- PV Sindhu, ranked 16th in the women’s singles, will face No. 32 Nguyen Thuy Linh from Vietnam in her opening match.
- Lakshya Sen, currently ranked World No. 12, will meet Japan’s Takuma Obayashi in his round of 32 fixture.
- Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy will also be in action, aiming to make a strong statement in men’s doubles.
The Role of Responsibility in Indian Badminton
Reflecting on India’s successes in international badminton, Srikanth acknowledged the growing expectations from Indian players, especially after the country’s success in the Olympics. However, he also mentioned that the players are embracing this responsibility and using it as motivation to perform better.
“It’s clear that expectations are high, and we’re aware of the pressure, but we treat it as an opportunity to push ourselves further. Everyone is focused on giving their best, and we’re all working towards making India proud.” – Kidambi Srikanth.
With the Indonesia Masters 2025 just around the corner, Indian players will look to build on their recent successes and continue their strong performances on the global stage. Srikanth, in particular, will aim to make a strong comeback after some tough outings earlier in the year.