Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen returned home to a hero's welcome after clinching the prestigious Sathio Australian Open 2025 men's singles title, but not before a light-hearted mystery surrounding the winners' medals was solved.
The confusion began when Malaysian world champion and mixed doubles winner, Chen Tang Jie, posted a picture on social media with a glum expression. He revealed he had received a medal engraved with 'Men's Singles' and jokingly asked Sen to check his own. Upon arrival, a relieved and jovial Sen confirmed to the media, "I got the right medal for men's singles. Maybe they had extra men's singles medals, and everyone was a men's singles winner!"
Beyond the Podium: Sen's Strategic Shift
While the medal story provided a moment of levity, Sen's victory at the Super 500 Australian Open in Sydney was the result of a meticulously planned comeback. After a period of struggle with injuries and form post the Paris Olympics, the Indian shuttler made significant changes to his game and mindset.
He revealed working extensively with Israeli mental trainer Mon Brockman in Bangalore, who had previously worked with HS Prannoy. "Because I didn't compete in a lot of tournaments post-Paris, mentally I had to let all those thoughts go and start enjoying the sport again," Sen explained. The focus was on blocking out external noise and the burden of past losses to rediscover his motivation.
Technical Tweaks and Averting the Dive
On the technical front, Sen credited his coach, Yoo Yong Song, for introducing crucial variations. "He told me after 3-4 years on the international circuit, people start reading your game. We've worked technically on bringing in more variations at the net and from the back of the court," Sen shared. This included holding shots at the net longer to disrupt opponents' rhythm.
Interestingly, Sen also addressed his signature, crowd-pleasing diving defensive retrieves. Contrary to popular belief, he is actively training to avoid them. "I actually train to avoid diving!" he stated. "I've been working on footwork... Diving comes naturally to me. But if I have to have a long career, I can't be doing those things at 30. There's a lot of chance of injuries." This highlights a mature approach to managing his physical health for long-term success.
Managing Fitness and Looking Ahead
Sen was candid about the physical challenges he faced in 2025, particularly concerning his back. "There's a few niggles here and there in the back since Singapore and Indonesia in June," he revealed, mentioning back spasms due to high match intensity. His team focused on smart workload management and strength sessions to ensure his fitness.
With his ranking having dropped, Sen's clear goal is to break back into the Top 10. His victory in Sydney, supported by his new coaching team and a refined mental approach, marks a significant step in that direction, proving that his patient and process-oriented strategy is paying rich dividends.
