Determined to be consistent, says H.S. Prannoy after attaining BWF World Tour No. 1 ranking

Prannoy said that the latest feat of being ranked No.1 in the BWF World Tour Rankings is certainly big news and gives him a lot of motivation.

Published : Sep 08, 2022 20:58 IST , HYDERABAD

H.S. Prannoy plays Zhao Jun Peng of China in the men’s singles quarterfinal at the BWF World Championships in Tokyo on August 26, 2022.
H.S. Prannoy plays Zhao Jun Peng of China in the men’s singles quarterfinal at the BWF World Championships in Tokyo on August 26, 2022. | Photo Credit: AP
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H.S. Prannoy plays Zhao Jun Peng of China in the men’s singles quarterfinal at the BWF World Championships in Tokyo on August 26, 2022. | Photo Credit: AP

H.S. Prannoy, who has made it a habit to beat the best in the business quite consistently in some of the major events this year, says that the latest feat of being ranked No.1 in the BWF World Tour Rankings is certainly big news and gives him a lot of motivation, the kind of confidence with which he can only keep improving.

"Being No.1 on the BWF Tour in September itself makes you feel better for sure," he said.

“Yes, this is not the World No.1 ranking for sure. A lot of things are bound to change on that front soon once the 2019 rankings which were frozen are opened up,” the 30-year-old Prannoy informed ‘The Hindu’ on Thursday.

“The next couple of months are equally important as these things might go up and down. I am determined to be as consistent as possible,” he said.

“The fact that I have been reaching quarterfinals consistently in most of the events does show that I am really playing well. It is only a question of time before I keep knocking on the door, open it and win a final too,” Prannoy said.

“Yes, winning the Thomas Cup early this year is the defining moment not just for me but for Indian badminton itself. That victory gave so much confidence to every one of my teammates too,” he said.

Questioned whether he is making any critical analysis of losing the matches after beating the top-ranked players, Prannoy said that one had to understand that if you lose in a quarter-final to someone he should be given equal respect. “He has not reached that stage by virtue of any walk-overs. He is there because he had also beaten some of the big guns,” he added.

“It is pretty simple. Every top player is losing to one or the other. Rankings don’t matter. On certain days, you have to come up with the kind of efforts to win the matches,” Prannoy said.

“Yes, those chats with Gopi Sir (chief national coach Pullela Gopichand) about some minor adjustments before a major event always help me even as there is a conscious effort to keep stepping into the next level,” he said.

“Honestly, I don’t chase any goals. All that I want is to take care of my body, stay cautious on the niggles during a tournament. Hope to finish off the year on a high for sure,” Prannoy signed off.

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