The Yonex Sunrise India Open 2025 got off to a start, with the Indian duo of Satwik and Chirag taking center stage. The pair, fresh from their semifinal finish at the Malaysia Open, looked to make a strong impression in front of their home crowd. In a press conference, they shared their strategies and thoughts on their opening match against the Malaysian duo.
When asked about their approach to counter their opponents’ defensive strengths, Satwik Rankireddy revealed, “We knew their defense was good, but we believed our attack was quicker. We focused on hitting our smashes in the right areas, making it difficult for them to defend. Our strategy was to play an all-round game, avoiding easy mistakes and letting our opponents give away points.” This approach paid off in the decisive third set.
Satwik also expressed his delight at playing in front of the home crowd, saying, “It’s amazing to play here. The atmosphere is perfect, and we’re thrilled to have the support of our fans.” Chirag Shetty stated, “Playing in front of our home crowd is definitely an advantage. The energy of the fans cheering us on is a huge boost, and we always love playing in home tournaments.”
When questioned about the potential pressure of playing in front of their home crowd, Chirag responded, “I think it’s more of an advantage than a pressure. The support of the fans and the familiarity of the home ground give us an edge. We’re focused on our game and try not to think about the pressure. Instead, we remind ourselves to stay ready and avoid easy mistakes, letting our opponents make the errors.”
