Dutch Open biggest title of my career so far, says Lakshya Sen
18-year-old Indian badminton player Lakshya Sen admitted that although winning the Dutch Open is the biggest title of his career, he now wants to push on and break into the top 30 rankings by early next year. Meanwhile, Sen is looking to find a balanced training routine that keeps from injury.
On Sunday, Sen clinched his first-ever BWF World tour title, the Dutch Open, beating Yusuke Onodera of Japan 15-21, 21-14, 21-15 in the summit clash. The win pushed him to a personal-best World No. 52 ranking this week.
“This is the biggest title of my career so far. I have reached quarters and a semifinal in the past, so it is good to finally win a super 100 tournament. It will boost my ranking and give me a chance to play the super 500 tournaments,” Sen told PTI.
“At the beginning of the year, my target was to reach the top-50 and after this win, I would be close to that. I still have few events left in the year. If I can do well there, I can go further up. Hope I can break into top 30 early next year,” Sen said.
Next up for the 18-year-old is the Saarlorlux Open Super 100, from October 29 to November 3, before he participates in two International Challenge events at the Irish Open (November 13-16) and Scottish Open (Nov 21-24). Sen will end the year playing at the Syed Modi International Super 300 from November 26 to December 1. Although he claimed a silver at the Youth Olympics and a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships last year, Sen has looked susceptible to injury, especially when he tries to push himself hard in training.
“I think I have to constantly work on my fitness, strength and stamina. I am better in that aspect than before but I need to keep working on that as in international badminton everyone is so fit and I need to be prepared for long matches,” Sen said.
“It is important to find that balance in training as recovery is an important aspect of an athlete’s life. I need to be injury-free and so I am focussing on my strength and stamina,” he said.
In addition to speaking about his fitness routine, he also acknowledged the contribution of four-time All-England champion Morten Frost, who was by his courtside when he played the final at Almere.
“Training with Frost has helped me a lot. He was at Bangalore for two weeks and even in the final, his inputs were of great help. He told me to be patient and just retrieve and go for the kill when there is a chance,” Sen added.
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