Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen shared his approach of focusing on one match at a time during the All England Open Badminton Championships. This mindset helped him navigate a tough draw without feeling the burden of external expectations. Sen, who reached his second All England final, secured a silver medal after a close defeat in the men’s singles final against Lin Chun-Yi from Chinese Taipei.
Lakshya’s mentor, Prakash Padukone, a former champion, had also reached the All England final in the past, showcasing a strong legacy. Sen discussed how he avoided the pressure of national expectations by simplifying his perspective and concentrating solely on his immediate matches.
In a virtual press conference, Lakshya Sen highlighted his mental shift from the previous year’s tournament, where he played with freedom and no pressure. This time, he felt more prepared to handle the stress of crucial matches, showing growth in his approach to big games. The young shuttler emphasized the importance of belief and preparation in dealing with the challenges of high-stakes encounters.
Reflecting on his loss in the final, Lakshya acknowledged the physical toll of a grueling semifinal match that affected his performance. Despite facing physical challenges, he expressed gratitude for the experience and the positives he could draw from the tournament. Sen concluded by mentioning the emotional journey of the event, expressing disappointment at not winning but gaining confidence and learnings for future competitions.
