Fit and fighting,Sridhar vows to return stronger in 2009 News Archive News

Anup Sridhar might have taken the flight to Beijing last year,but grounded due to injury thereafter,he missed the proverbial bus...

Written by Shivani Naik

Mumbai | January 14, 2009 03:24 PM IST

3 min read

Anup Sridhar might have taken the flight to Beijing last year,but grounded due to injury thereafter,he missed the proverbial bus as the rest of his clan hit happy headlines in 2008.

While the rest of the badminton gang,led by Saina Nehwal,rose in rankings,Sridhar nursed his dodgy ankle. But the Bangalorean is back on the circuit in the new year,albeit without coach Tom John,who had guided the 25-year-old in the run-up to the Olympics.

Hes not my personal coach anymore. I was able to hire him for the six months leading up to Beijing,but its quite expensive. It would be nice to have a travelling coach but I cant afford one right now, Sridhar rues the downturn in fortunes post Games,which also saw him slip to 45 in the rankings from his career-high 24.

But determined to return stronger,Sridhar has set himself an ambitious target of cracking the top-20 in the next couple of months. He tested competitive waters at the Malaysia Super Series last week where he lost in the second round,and starts the January 13-18 Korean event against NG Wei of Hong Kong an opponent he terms strong,but beatable. The first thing,of course,is to get fully fit. I wont be too hard on myself rightaway,but my first target will be to break into the top-20 in the next couple of months, Sridhar says,talking to The Indian Express.

Tactical help missing

Stressing that a travelling coach could help take care of all matters on and off the court and that a guide helped tactically,Sridhar adds that its something hell have to do without for now. Having had a rather quiet second half in 2008,Sridhar insists that there is lost time to make up. 2008 was tough for me but it was good for all the others. If we can achieve the fitness levels needed for the top league,then anything is possible.

The time away from the court was utilised for mild weight-training and some cycling and swimming,heeding to the delicate recovery process of the ankle. But Sridhar assures that he is fit now,though shaking off the rust might need some time. It might take anywhere from two weeks to two months. But Im on the right track, he says.

Shivani Naik

Shivani Naik is a senior sports journalist and Assistant Editor at The Indian Express. She is widely considered one of the leading voices in Indian Olympic sports journalism, particularly known for her deep expertise in badminton, wrestling, and basketball. Professional Profile Role: Assistant Editor and Columnist at The Indian Express. Specialization: While she covers a variety of sports, she is the primary authority on badminton for the publication. She also writes extensively about tennis, track and field, wrestling, and gymnastics. Writing Style: Her work is characterized by "technical storytelling"—breaking down the biomechanics, tactics, and psychological grit of athletes. She often provides "long reads" that explore the personal journeys of athletes beyond the podium. Key Topics & Recent Coverage (Late 2025) Shivani Naik’s recent articles (as of December 2025) focus on the evolving landscape of Indian sports as athletes prepare for the 2026 Asian Games and beyond: Indian Badminton's "Hulks": She has recently written about a new generation of Indian shuttlers characterized by power and physicality, such as Ayush Shetty and Sathish Karunakaran, marking a shift from the traditionally finesse-based Indian style. PV Sindhu’s Resurgence: A significant portion of her late-2025 work tracks PV Sindhu’s tactical shifts under new coaching, focusing on her "sparkle" and technical tweaks to break out of career slumps. The "Group of Death": In December 2025, she provided detailed tactical previews for Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty’s campaign in the BWF World Tour Finals. Tactical Deep Dives: She frequently explores technical trends, such as the rise of "backhand deception" in modern badminton and the importance of court drift management in international arenas. Legacy and History: She often revisits the careers of legends like Saina Nehwal and Syed Modi, providing historical context to current Indian successes. Notable Recent Articles BWF World Tour Finals: Satwik-Chirag have it all to do to get through proverbial Group of Death. (Dec 2025) The age of Hulks in Indian badminton is here. (Dec 2025) Treadmill, Yoganidra and building endurance: The themes that defined the resurgence of Gayatri and Treesa. (Dec 2025) Ayush Shetty beats Kodai Naraoka: Will 20-year-old be the headline act in 2026? (Nov 2025) Modern Cinderella tale – featuring An Se-young and a shoe that fits snugly. (Nov 2025) Other Sports Interests Beyond the court, Shivani is a passionate follower of South African cricket, sometimes writing emotional columns about her irrational support for the Proteas, which started because of love for Graeme Smith's dour and doughty Test playing style despite being a left-hander, and sustained over curiosity over their heartbreaking habit of losing ICC knockouts. You can follow her detailed analysis and columns on her official Indian Express profile page. ... Read More

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