HS Prannoy on finding motivation to keep going: ‘Coach Gopichand always says to stay long in the game’

Men's singles shuttler HS Prannoy in action at the India Open Super 750. ( Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

‘Stay Long’ is the mantra badminton players follow while grinding out a three-game thriller, and veteran Indian shuttler HS Prannoy is using that to navigate through a tough phase of his career.

The 2023 World Championships medallist had a tough 2025 season, struggling with injuries and loss of form. However, during the tough times, the words of his long-time guru Pullela Gopichand have stayed with him.

“He always says to stay long in the game. I have asked him if I should I just wrap it up? He always believes that things might be a little topsy-turvy at times in your career, but it’s important to stay in the fight because good things happen only when you are staying there,” Prannoy said after winning his first-round game at the India Open Super 750 on Wednesday. A last-minute entry to the tournament due to withdrawals, Prannoy defeated last edition’s runner-up Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong in straight games 22-20, 21-18.

Going through a phase of self-doubt after his 2025 season, Prannoy said that he found it tough when he couldn’t close out matches where he fought hard.

“The last season was a little tiring mentally because we had a lot of matches where I think I was there, but I just couldn’t convert into my side. The season took me to a place where you start to think if you are good enough to win these kind of matches. By the end of the year I think I was not at all in a good space where there’s a lot of negative thoughts coming in. I think the probably the love to grind was missing,” admitted Prannoy.

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Gopichand, the national coach of the Indian team, doesn’t travel much on the BWF tour now, but was sitting in the coaching corner for Prannoy with former India player Guru Sai Dutt.

“It was really nice to have him on the coaching chair as he doesn’t travel much these days. It is special to have him around and he is still coming at 7 am in the morning to do all the drills with us. It helps the shuttlers also stay motivated,” said Prannoy.

Playing in front of the home crowd, Prannoy dug deep against the world number 18. He was down 18-20 in the first game but saved two game points and won four consecutive points to make it 22-20.

“The conditions here are tricky as it is the new arena. There is a lot of side drift along with the front and back drift. A lot of my shots just went wide but the good thing was that Lee also didn’t have much idea as he was not going all-out. So, that was relaxing for me,” Prannoy said.

In the second game, Prannoy took a lead of 11-8 at the mid-game and maintained it throughout to win it 21-18.

“The win in the first game from 17-19 was crucial against an opponent like him (Lee) who can run over anyone on a decent day. It was important to win the first game for me” Prannoy added.

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In a packed 2026 calendar where there will be Asian Games and World Championships in India, Prannoy is consciously doing new off-court routines to keep himself fresh.

“I have got new people on my team and trying to do new things to keep the freshness. On the nutrition side, I am trying new things that are going to keep me motivated,” said Prannoy.

On Thursday, Prannoy will be up against eighth-seed Singaporean shuttler Loh Kean Yew, who recorded a three-game win over Chinese Wang Zheng Xing.