What started as heartbreak in Kuala Lumpur in 2024 now offers a chance for redemption in 2025. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are determined to put their Olympic disappointment behind them as they chase a title that eluded them at the start of last year—a setback that seemed to cast a shadow over the rest of the season.
Now into the quarterfinals of the Malaysia Open, the first Super 1000 tournament of the year, Satwik and Chirag are the only seeded players left in the doubles draw. Their commanding 21-15, 21-15 victory over Malaysian duo Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub Azriyn and Tan Wee Kiong showcased their focus and determination. The match, which lasted 43 minutes, saw the World No. 32 Malaysian pair struggle to gain any momentum, never taking the lead beyond the fourth point in either game.
The real test, however, awaits in the quarterfinals, where Satwik and Chirag will face Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi, a more formidable and contemporary pairing. The Friday match promises to be more challenging, pushing the Indian duo to avoid any semblance of complacency.
For Satwik and Chirag, now 25 and 27 years old, early-round victories were once routine steps en route to bigger battles. As they look to recapture the winning streak they enjoyed before last year’s Olympic struggles, every match is a step closer to reclaiming their place among the best in the world.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty need to tread cautiously, especially if they encounter the Korean scratch pair of Seo Seung Jae and Kim Won Ho in a potential semifinal clash. The duo’s recent encounter with Seo at the China Masters Super 750 final in November ended in disappointment, as the Indians fell short of claiming the title.
There was a time when Satwik and Chirag would breeze past such challenges without breaking a sweat, but the journey has become more unpredictable now. Even so, the Indian pair remains optimistic and determined, embracing the opportunity as yet another thrilling adventure in their quest to return to their peak form.
After their win at the Malaysia Open, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy shared with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) how much they had missed competing on the tour since the Olympics. “We’re feeling rejuvenated and excited to be back in action,” shared Satwiksairaj Rankireddy. “Having a new coach on board has brought a fresh perspective and renewed energy to our game. It’s like a new beginning for us, and we’re eager to embrace the challenges ahead. There’s no pressure—we’re just playing our game and enjoying ourselves. We want to play as many matches as possible and make the most of this journey.”
Reflecting on the time after their tough loss to Malaysians Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik at the Paris Olympics, Satwik’s lighthearted comments revealed a deeper sense of incompleteness. When asked what he missed most while being off the circuit, he jokingly replied, “The traveling! When we’re playing, it feels hectic, but with all the free time suddenly, there was nothing to do. We were stuck eating Indian biscuits and cake. We missed food from other countries. We’re so used to traveling—it was a refreshing break mentally, but it was also a mandatory one.”
For athletes like Satwik and Chirag, a break after a medal-less Olympics can feel bittersweet. Despite giving their all, there’s no tangible reward to mark the effort. Satwik, known for his love of Indian food even during international tournaments, humorously described longing for both the flavors of foreign cuisines and the thrill of facing top-tier opponents. The joy of battling the world’s best and savoring victories had been sorely missed. This post-Olympics phase has been about rekindling that competitive fire while finding new energy for the road ahead.
A Fluid Comeback
As often happens in the year following the Olympics, medal-winning players are still finding their rhythm. On Thursday, Chinese duo Liang Weikeng and Chang Wang, as well as Malaysian pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, both medalists from the Games, made early exits from the Malaysia Open. Meanwhile, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty continue to push forward. However, they tread a fine line, eager to prove their mettle at every opportunity, despite being advised to take it easy and embrace the process without undue pressure.
One of the most exciting developments for the pair is their reunion with coach Tan Kim Her. The man who first saw their potential and decided to pair them has returned to the fold. Tan, who worked with Satwik and Chirag from 2017, played a pivotal role in shaping them into a world-class doubles team before departing for Japan.
“It’s still early days,” Chirag shared.”Coach Tan guided us during the early stages of our journey, spending about three and a half years with us when we were newcomers to the Indian team,” said Chirag Shetty. “He was the one who saw our potential and decided to pair us together, helping us reach a level where we could compete with the best in the world.” He helped us reach a level where we could compete with the best in the world. Having him back feels great, and though it’s still the beginning, we’re excited to train under him again.”
Satwik chimed in with a heartfelt reminder: “If it weren’t for him, there wouldn’t be a ‘SatChi.’”
Their reunion with Tan is a hopeful step toward regaining lost momentum. Although they haven’t experienced a significant decline, their current World No.9 ranking feels like a far cry from their glory days as World No.1. Chirag, who holds himself to exceptionally high standards, is determined to climb back up but remains quietly restless as he works toward his goal.
“Last year, we didn’t get the chance to participate in many tournaments,” Chirag mentioned. “So our first aim is to go deep into competitions and get back into the Top 5. The break was helpful—it gave us time to reset. But now we’re happy to be back on tour, and it’s been a good start to the year. We’re looking forward to making a strong run in this tournament.”
With the India Open in Delhi just around the corner, Satwik and Chirag are setting their sights on another title they narrowly missed last year. However, the challenge will be to balance their hunger for success with the need to pace themselves, avoiding injuries and burnout. Coach Tan’s immediate task will likely be to ensure they channel their energy into the right events without overexerting themselves. The technical tweaks can come later, but for now, keeping their ambitions in check will be key to sustaining their momentum throughout the season.
From an Indian perspective, the badminton scene remains steady, with Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty continuing to be the most reliable performers on the circuit. However, there was a flicker of excitement and optimism before things took a tough turn for some of the other Indian players.
HS Prannoy fought valiantly but ultimately fell short against World No.6 Li Shifeng, losing in a nail-biting three-game match: 8-21, 21-15, 21-23. Meanwhile, the women’s doubles duo of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand gave a spirited performance against the formidable Chinese pair of Olympic champion Jia Yi Fan and rising star Zhang Shu Xian. Despite pushing the match to three games, the Indian duo lost 21-15, 18-21, 19-21 in a closely contested battle.
While these results didn’t go in India’s favor, the players showed grit and determination, keeping fans hopeful for better outcomes in the upcoming matches.
