Coach Tan Kim Her’s Blueprint For Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty: Cut Down Small Errors For Big Titles

“It’s as if you didn’t see anything at first, then suddenly you see the fruits pushing.” Tan Kim Her’s voice was tinged with emotion while he was thinking about the trip of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, the two men he associated and who affectionately call him “dad”. The affection is mutual and quite understandable. After all, Satwik and Chirag gathered their first lessons during Tan’s first mandate as a double Badminton coach from India between 2015 and 2019. He is back in the saddle after Mathias Boe Starter decided to leave training following the disappointing Parisian Olympic.

“It’s always great to be back. India always gives me so many memories. When I came here, I put all my efforts there, and the players were so devoted and trusted me. Not only Satwik and Chirag, but all. I have the impression that it is my house,” said Tan in an interview with PTI.

In 2015, when Tan joined the badminton camp of India, Satwik and Chirag were only budding talents. Over the years, with Tan mentorship and later the advice of Danish coach Mathias Boe, they have become one of the most formidable pairs of the badminton in the world.

“I have to give credit to Boe. He did an excellent job, and that is why they went up,” said Tan.

“But when you are at the top, maintain this position is not easy. You must be very disciplined and committed.” Stressing that his role is to help the duo to target above, Tan said: “We have to plan which tournaments are the most important. There is a tournament almost every month, so we cannot focus on all.

“I told them that we cannot aim to win every time, but we have to peak at the right time. The right time is the main tournaments that we have not yet won, like the All England, the world championship, the final of the Super Series, and of course, the Olympic Games.” While the victory of Asian games was a major achievement for the two living players, Tan said that their goal should now move on to the most prestigious events in sport.

“It is great that they have won the Asian games, but beyond that, the other tournaments are more open. We can win or lose, and it’s okay. But the main objective for me is that they win All England games, World Championship, World Final and Olympic Games,” he said, detailing his mission in the future.

Thinking about the difference in his role in relation to the moment he worked for the first time with Satwik and Chirag, the Malayian said: “At the time, they did not have a clear idea in the way of becoming world class. At that time, I said to Satwik and Chirag:” I say, you follow, that’s all. “But now it’s different.

“They play at a higher level, so I am not telling them to follow. We are talking about training programs, what’s going on, why we lose. From there, they must understand why they have lost. There are many more discussions between me and them.” The male double is extremely competitive and Tan has said that its goal is to refine small details.

“With regard to attacks, they are strong, their side control and the reception of services are also very good. But it is the small errors that need work. I will focus on them,” he said, adding that there is always room for improvement, especially in the way they read the game of their opponents.

“The game has changed,” observes Tan. “This is not always the case that Satwik must be on the back and Chirag at the front. It was, but now they have to read the game better.

“The adversaries know that Chirag is more at the front and Satwik on the back. But sometimes we confuse them. They think that Satwik is always in the back, but it can sometimes move forward. So, overall, we can move as long as both read the game of the opponent.” While the pair has traveled a long way, Tan notes that Satwik is still evolving. “Satwik has improved a lot at the front now, but … However, it can improve. There is always room to improve.” Tan also points out that the duo must have a clear strategy when faced with different teams.

“If you play in Malaysia or Indonesia, these two countries, their game is almost similar. They have a very strong service game, good control and solid defense. But when we play Korea, Japan, China, even Chinese Taipei, they have a more based game,” he said.

Satwik and Chirag were considered the greatest hopes of India medal in Paris. However, their trip ended in the quarter-final following a defeat in the hands of Aaron Chia and Wooi Yik Soh in Malaysia, despite a file of 4-0 against them in previous matches.

“The Olympic Games are different. It’s the mental game. Can you manage pressure or not? Satwik and Chirag were subjected to more pressure because they had beaten Malaysia four times before. The Malaysians were daring, especially in these crucial moments …”, said Tan.

While Tan’s main objective remains Satwik and Chirag, he will also work in close collaboration with the other hopes of Double from India.

“For mixed doubles, I will guide DHRUV (Kapila) and Tanisha (Crasto), and for female doubles, Sumeeth (Reddy) will focus on Gayatri (Gopichand) and Treesa (Jolly). I will also work in close collaboration with Manu (ATTRI), which manages the second group.” “So, most of the time, I will lead them to train with me. And then I give some advice.” Tan believes that the pairs of doubles from India have the potential to get into the upper levels of the world badminton.

“I see the system in place now. There is an appropriate program, and I really believe that Gayatri and Treesa, they are always young and can enter the first four in the world. And Dhruv and Tanisha, with good planning, I see them in the top 10,” he said.

(With the exception of the title, this story has not been published by NDTV staff and is published from a unionized flow.)