A Coach’s Return, A Duo’s Revival
When Tan Kim Her returned to India last December, he wasn’t just reuniting with Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, the pair he had helped bring together a decade earlier. He was walking back into a storm of injuries, self-doubt, and missed opportunities. Before he could fine-tune their game, he had to rebuild their foundation.
Both players had struggled with fitness—Rankireddy battling recurring shoulder and back issues, while Shetty endured months of spasmodic back pain. The setbacks had kept India’s top men’s doubles team off the circuit for much of 2024, featuring in just one tournament post-Olympics.
Tan immediately called for a reset. Together with trainers and physios, he devised a workload system tailored to protect their bodies, balancing training intensity with tournament schedules.
“The boys are disciplined and committed. Their conditioning has improved a lot, but we still have to monitor them carefully,” said Tan.
Confidence Rebuilt Through Consistency
Signs of a turnaround came quickly. The duo made four semi-finals this year, clinched a World Championships bronze in August, and reached back-to-back finals at the Hong Kong Open and China Masters. For a pair starved of podium finishes, the results restored belief.
“They are consistent again and back to their natural style,” Tan explained. “Now the key is belief—believing they can finish matches against the very best.”
That belief was tested in the China Masters final, where they let slip a 14-7 lead. But for Tan, the lesson was more valuable than the loss: “They just need to trust themselves in pressure moments.”
Tactical Tweaks and New Tricks
Beyond fitness and mindset, the duo have sharpened their tactical toolkit. Traditionally a front-and-back pairing, Satwik and Chirag have experimented with side-by-side formations to disrupt opponents. Shetty’s flick serves have also caught rivals off guard in crucial moments.
“These strategies depend on who we’re playing,” Tan revealed. “It’s about being smart, not just physical.”
Their adaptability paid off against long-time rivals Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, as well as top Chinese pairs. For Chirag, beating the best once again brought relief: “We hadn’t stood on a podium for so long. Now we’re proving we can still dominate.”
The Road Ahead: Titles and Targets
Despite the resurgence, one box remains unchecked—their first title in over 16 months. With the Denmark Open and French Open looming, and the BWF World Tour Finals on the horizon, Tan has set the bar high: “We must win a major tournament.”
For that, defence and composure will be critical. Tan insists the pair still need to sharpen their shot selection under pressure and avoid over-relying on quick kills against elite opponents.
“Against top-three pairs, you can’t expect to finish rallies in one or two shots. We need smarter defence and more patience in attack,” he stressed.
Smiles, Momentum, and a Sense of Return
If nothing else, Satwik and Chirag are smiling again. Gone are the empty Sundays of early tournament exits. Finals are back on their calendars, and the duo look rejuvenated.
“Earlier, losing meant Sundays were for packing bags,” Satwik joked. “Now, Sundays are about playing finals again.”
Chirag echoed the optimism: “We’re beating the best pairs again. A title will come—it’s just a matter of time.”