Satwik-Chirag Hope To Stay Fit: 'Once He's Better, I'll Have Some Niggles...'

Last Updated:July 16, 2025, 20:42 IST

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy is focused on staying fit ahead of the World Championships. Despite recurring injuries, Satwik and Chirag Shetty have reached three semifinals this season.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty (X/BAI)

Top Indian shuttler Satwiksairaj Rankireddy is relieved to see positive results on the court despite recurring injury setbacks and stated that the focus ahead of next month’s World Championships is on staying fit, without any long-term goals in mind.

Satwik and Chirag Shetty have reached three semifinals this season, including a quarterfinal finish at the Indonesia Open last month.

After semifinal runs at the Malaysia Open and India Open in January, the Indian duo was sidelined for several weeks due to Satwik’s health concerns and Chirag’s persistent back injury.

They returned to the circuit with a semifinal appearance at the Singapore Open and a quarterfinal showing in Indonesia.

On Wednesday, the former world No. 1 pair began their Japan Open Super 750 campaign with a comfortable 21-18, 21-10 win over Korea’s Kang Min Hyuk and Kim Won Ho.

What Did Satwik Say?

“For us, it’s to get fit 100%. It’s always up and down. Once he’s better, I’ll have some niggles. Once I’m better, he’s having some niggles. So we haven’t played without injury from past one year. So we have been struggling with niggles," said Satwik.

“Still, we are managing to play some good quality games. So that is a positive side. But right now, our aim is to get injury-free and be healthy all the time."

The Japan Open will be followed by the China Open Super 1000 before the top players head to Paris for the World Championships, scheduled from August 25 to 31.

“Just not thinking so much ahead. No goals as of now. Obviously, we want to do well, but at the same time, we want to be healthy," Satwik added.

“And once we are healthy, I know we can do that. So the only thing is injuries are holding us, restricting our game. But right now, we are both feeling good because we had a break after Singapore. Both are really fit enough, so we’ll see how it goes."

What Did Chirag Say?

Chirag echoed Satwik’s sentiments and said the break after the Indonesia Open was essential for recovery.

“No, it was actually needed. So we had sent entry for US, Canada as well. But after Singapore and Indonesia, we needed that break because I especially was not fit enough," the Mumbai shuttler said.

“I think leading up to the Singapore-Indonesia Open. But right now, I had some good couple of weeks. So body feels much better than it was. We just took a break the first week after we got back, freshened up. And then got back to practice.

“I was out for post-All England. I had to withdraw. And then for two months, I was out. Not really fit going into Singapore-Indonesia, but now it’s a lot better."

(With inputs from PTI)

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha...

Read More

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News sports Satwik-Chirag Hope To Stay Fit: 'Once He's Better, I'll Have Some Niggles...'