Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty has acknowledged that a dip in his world ranking is 'part of the sport' as he sets his sights on qualifying for the World Championships. The 21-year-old from Udupi, Karnataka, expressed confidence that the upcoming Japan Open and China Open will be pivotal in his qualification campaign.
Ranking Dip No Deterrent
Shetty, who broke into the top 50 earlier this year, has since slipped to world No. 68. However, he remains unfazed. 'Rankings fluctuate; it's part of the sport. My focus is on performing well in the next few tournaments to secure a spot at the World Championships,' he told reporters.
The World Championships qualification period runs until late July, with players needing to be among the top 32 in the Race to Guangzhou rankings. Shetty currently sits at No. 45 in that list.
Key Tournaments Ahead
The Japan Open, a BWF Super 750 event, begins on July 14 in Tokyo, followed by the China Open (Super 1000) starting July 21 in Changzhou. Both tournaments offer significant ranking points. 'These two events are crucial. A strong showing can boost my ranking and qualification chances,' Shetty added.
Shetty has been training at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Bengaluru under coach Vimal Kumar. His recent performances include a runner-up finish at the Polish Open and a semifinal appearance at the Belgian International.
Road Ahead
With only a few tournaments left before the qualification deadline, Shetty aims to replicate his early-season form. 'The competition is tough, but I believe in my abilities. I am working on my fitness and strategy to peak at the right time,' he said.
The Badminton Association of India has also extended support, with selectors considering Shetty for upcoming team events if he maintains his trajectory.
