What a year its been for shuttler Kidambi Srikanth. Four Super Series titles and a year-end world number 3 ranking – in his own words, it was really the “stuff of dreams.”
However, there will remain the ‘what if.’ What if Srikanth had manage to maintain his fitness all through 2017? Would he have won more titles? Would he have performed better at the year-end Dubai World Super Series Finals? Would he have become world number 1?
The Quint caught up Srikanth on the sidelines of the Premier Badminton League, where he’s teamed up with Saina Nehwal to lead Awadhe Warriors.
2017 has almost ended. What are your thoughts on the year you have had?
It has been a fantastic year, other than Dubai (World Super Series Finals). The last eight months have been fantastic. I can’t really explain how happy I am. I can’t even say that it was a dream year because I never really dreamt of winning four Super Series titles.
Does your performance in Dubai leave a bad patch on an otherwise stellar year?
Not really. Actually, I had just recovered from an injury and I had to play in Dubai. It was a big learning experience for me. I only felt that I was missing match practice but otherwise I played really well there.
A lot of players have spoken out against the Badminton World Federation’s decision to increase the number of events you have to play on the circuit next season. Will we see you play more often now?
Not very much, for sure. I will be very choosy and will pick tournaments. I don’t really want to strain myself too much because I have the Commonwealth and the Asian Games next year, along with the World Championships. I really want to be choosy. I don’t want to play too many tournaments.
Watch the full interview above.
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