Interview: Hope to do better at Super Series level: B Sumeeth Reddy

This piece was published in Sportskeeda

Buss Sumeeth Reddy has let his performance do the talking – he in tandem with Manu Attri has had a fabulous 2015 winning two doubles crown as well as three runners-up finishes. The 24-year-old Andhra lad, who won his first men’s doubles crown, spoke about his game and much more in an exclusive interview.

Excerpts:

Q The 2015 has been a great run for you and Manu Attri – you have won two titles (Belgium and Lagos) as well as pulling off three runners-up finishes (US Open, Gautmela and Prague Open. What has been the secret of your consistent success?

I think we both took this year much seriously and worked hard. We had great support when we were facing tough times from Gopi Sir. Both these aspects helped us.

Q You guys were top seeds at the 50,000 Scottish Open Grand Prix, where you lost to 5th seed Andrew Ellis and Peter Mills of England 17-21, 15-21 in the quarterfinals. What do you think went wrong?

We didn’t start the game well and conceded an initial lead, thought we made it 16-16. Few mistakes cost us the game. Even the second game I felt it was their day.

 Q What is that one thing that makes you guys such a strong unit on the court?

We have completely opposite playing styles. So at times either my game works out or his, and on the day both of our games are at a higher level then we crack the top pairs.

Q There is always room for improvement – what do you think are your improvement areas?

I shifted to doubles just 3-4 years ago, and think my basics are not so strong. So, I’m working on these aspects with the new doubles coach Tan Kim Her.

Q Tell us a bit about first men’s doubles international crown?

The 2013 Tata International Challenge was our first men doubles title.

Q Throw some light on your maiden US Grand Prix Gold final - you guys lost to China’s Junhui Li and Yuchen Liu in the final. How exciting it was to reach your final Grand Prix Gold final?

It was a big boost for us, although we lost in straight games. It changed lot of things in our international career and made us a known pair in the international circuit.

 Q You guys attained your career best ranking in men’s doubles this year.

It is nice to be in the top-20. We hope to break into the top-15 as well.

Q You had three runners-up finishes. What were the lessons learnt from those losses?

Most of the tournaments we played were tough matches- each loss increased our hunger to win the next tournament. Holding on to our nerves helped in most of them.

Q You had early exits in the All England and World Championship – do you think you guys need to raise the bar even more to make a big impact in these events?

We are trying hard to make a better mark at the Super Series level. I hope we make it in 2016.

Q BAI has hired Tan Kim Her as the country’s men’s doubles coach – how has been the experience working under him?

He is a great person on court and off court. We have started training under him recently and he is in working hard to improve things in the Indian doubles team.

Q IBL is being revived after nearly three years – must be exciting times for badminton players – both seniors and juniors.

Surely, it will help all players to execute their game in front of the home crowd. I'm sure this time under the BAI the IBL will be a great success.

Q How do you like to unwind when you are not playing badminton?

I mostly watch movies and hang out with friends when I have an off session.