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Indian Badminton Stars Gear Up For India Open 2025 With Renewed Energy

New Delhi [India]: India’s top badminton players, including PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and the duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, are set to dazzle on home soil as the India Open 2025 begins at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, Indira Gandhi Arena, on Tuesday.

The prestigious tournament, part of the BWF World Tour Super 750 series, boasts participation from the world’s best, including Olympic champions Viktor Axelsen and An Se-Young. This marks the return of India’s top shuttlers after a much-needed break to recover from injuries and rejuvenate following the grueling Paris Olympic campaign, according to a press release from the Badminton Association of India (BAI).

PV Sindhu’s Comeback and Fresh Start

Two-time Olympic medalist and 2017 champion PV Sindhu will compete for the first time after her wedding in December. Speaking at the tournament’s launch, Sindhu said, “This will be my first tournament after marriage and also in the new year. So everything is new, and I want to give my best in the competition in front of the home fans. After the Paris Olympics, I needed time to recover physically and emotionally, and the break has helped me get back rejuvenated.”

Sindhu will open her campaign against compatriot Anupama Upadhyaya, with a potential second-round clash against Japanese sixth seed Tomoka Miyazaki.

Indian Contingent Highlights

The India Open 2025 will witness over 200 players from powerhouses like China, Japan, Denmark, South Korea, and Indonesia. Among them, 36 Indian players will compete, showcasing the country’s growing presence in badminton.

BAI Secretary General Sanjay Mishra highlighted the significance of hosting such events. “To have 22 entries in a Super 750 event is a big achievement for Indian badminton. Watching the world’s best players will inspire our young talents and elevate the game across the country,” he said.

Satwik and Chirag’s Resurgence

Asian Games gold medalists Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, runners-up in the previous edition, aim to replicate their 2022 title-winning performance. After overcoming injuries post-Paris Olympics, the duo made a strong comeback by reaching the Malaysia Open Super 1000 semifinals last week.

Satwik shared, “The shoulder injury has been on and off. But I also had a back injury after the Paris Olympics, which took time to recover. Now I am fine and have no problems.” Chirag added, “We started the year with a semifinal in Malaysia and want to improve on last year’s results here.”

Lakshya Sen Eyes a Title Before Home Fans

Lakshya Sen, the 2022 champion, is eager to perform in front of fans this year, unlike his previous win during the pandemic. “The India Open is a very important tournament for us. The last time I won it, it was without fans. This time, I want to win it in front of them,” said Sen.

The 2025 BWF World Tour promises to spotlight emerging talent while building on strong partnerships that have been instrumental in its growth.

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