Ace Shuttler Kidambi Srikanth confessed that missing the India Open due to COVID-19 was upsetting, but that he was lucky to recover fast and that defending his Commonwealth Games title this year is his primary focus.
Srikanth regained his rhythm after winning the World Championship silver medal in Huelva, Spain in December of last year, but he was unable to maintain his momentum after testing positive for COVID-19 and being unable to compete in the India Open, Super 500 and Syed Modi International.
It was aggravating, but it was something I couldn’t change. I wanted to compete in the competitions in India because I thought I had a decent chance of winning, Srikanth said. Srikanth was one of seven Indians who pulled out of the India Open after testing positive for the virus.
He said that he experienced minor signs and symptoms, and for almost ten days, remained in isolation. Fortunately, I recovered fast, and once the test came back negative, I immediately began training, he added.
Srikanth’s season will begin with the German Open Super 300 (March 8-13), followed by the renowned All England Championships (March 16-20), and the Swiss Open Super 300 (March 22-27).
However, the 29-year-old shuttler stated that retaining the gold he earned at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast is his primary objective.
Srikanth, a former World No. 1, went through a difficult period after 2018 due to numerous injuries and a lack of form, which hampered his international performance.
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