H.S. Prannoy, who won his maiden BWF World Tour title when he clinched the Malaysian Open on Sunday, said that he would look forward to upcoming tournaments with more confidence.
The 30-year-old shuttler, who has beaten top players on innumerable occasions but never won a title, said that there were just too many emotions as the last six years were a roller-coaster ride for him.
“To be honest, if you had asked me in 2017, I don’t think I would have told you that in 2023 I would be winning a Super 500. I want to thank all the coaches and support staff. I think we have worked really, really hard and the result is showing,” said Prannoy, who was a member of the victorious Thomas Cup and also the Asia Mixed Team championship in Dubai recently.
“It’s too many emotions as such and then you are excited to come out there and play in front of such a big crowd,” he said.
“The draw was really tough for me and I had to dig really deep. All four matches went to the wire and that shows how patient I was. My fitness was also pretty much decent,” Prannoy said.
“The conditions were really slow the entire tournament and all matches were going long. You just had to hang in there and I did that,” he added.
“It is a great feeling. I think someday it was meant to happen (to win a big title),” Prannoy told The Hindu.
“Not just in terms of qualification for next year’s Paris Olympics but also personally, I really needed this one,” he said.
Reflecting on the game, Prannoy said that he kept trust in his long rallies never really made any significant changes.
“I believed in my daily routine to be in the right frame — mentally and physically. Always worked really hard,” he said.
“I must say I feel good to play in the circuit even now. And, I thank so many people around me who have been helping me,” Prannoy said.
“I feel it is a process that has been on for two years now to be at my best at the highest level. That intense desire to get better and better was a huge factor,” he said.
“I don’t look at this title coming a bit too late. For things don’t always happen the way you want them to be. That’s life and in sport too,” he said.
Prannoy said that one had to deal with expectations after these kinds of results.
“They will always be there. One has to handle them in the right way to keep looking ahead,” he said.
Meanwhile, BAI general secretary Sanjay Mishra congratulated Prannoy on his victory.
”I congratulate Prannoy for becoming the first Indian men’s singles shuttler to clinch the Malaysia Masters title. He has contributed to many memorable victories in Indian badminton and continuing his fine form into the BWF World Tour title is a matter of great pride for the country and all of us. I hope and wish he continues his impressive run in the upcoming competitions and brings more laurels to India,” the BAI official said.
