Ayush Shetty’s US Open victory – after a lean patch for Indian men’s singles on the BWF World Tour – could be the start of some surprising results. Shetty, and Sathish Kumar Karunakaran, bring the power game to badminton courts, to go alongside Lakshya Sen, Priyanshu Rajawat, Kiran George and Tharun Mannepalli. But it was a cause of personal glee for Shetty as he won the Super 300 title in Iowa, because curiously, he had never won a seniors title even domestically.
The 20-year-old 6-foot-4 talks about the title victory in USA, and how his big game developed in the tall canopy of sparring alongside Viktor Axelsen and under watchful coaching eyes in Bengaluru.
What is the significance of the US Open Super 300 title?
Ayush Shetty: It makes me really happy because not only is it my first title on the World Tour. It’s my first title-ever in seniors. I’ve never won anything before, even nationally. I had lost in semis in tournaments three times, and losing to Chou Tien Chen was the toughest to handle at Taipei Open. Beating him (World No 6) in the semis here (at Iowa’s Council Bluffs) felt good.
You led 19-14 in the opener against Chou in semis and lost the first set from there (before winning 21-23, 21-15, 21-14). How, and why?
Ayush Shetty: First game, I had a very good lead of 5 points, so losing from there was very tough. He had the momentum. I just told myself, ‘hang in there.’ After pulling back the second, I gained in confidence. I have previously lost matches after losing leads because it makes a huge difference in how you see the match. But this time I was just too focused, so next set was easy. It wasn’t an easy path to final. Against Magnus (Johannessen) in the first match, I hadn’t adapted completely to conditions and made many unforced errors. I somehow pulled it off. Against former junior world champion Kuo Kuan Lin, again I was down 18-20 but managed to win (22-20, 21-9).
Is it tougher playing against compatriots like Tharun Mannepalli (in Round 2)? (Shetty is 2-1 vs Kidambi Srikanth, 2-0 vs Tharun, 1-0 vs Sankar Muthusamy Subramaniam, but 0-4 against fellow tall shuttler Sathish Karunakaran)
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Ayush Shetty: Playing Indians can be very tricky. Especially Tharun is in good form now. It was very windy on court against him that day, and one side was hard to manage. He was defending well. But I’d played him twice recently, so I was confident. I varied my attack with drops and half smashes, and was very happy with how I opened up the game in the second.
Talk about your signature crosscourt smash that booms down from 6 feet 4 height.
Ayush Shetty: That cross-court smash is easily my favourite stroke, and it came naturally to me. But earlier, I used to use it very often, like for every second stroke. I’ve learnt to use it wisely now, only on crucial points. (It showed up at 18-18 in a close first set and later on championship point).
What’s cool about being this tall? And what’s not all that cool?
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Ayush Shetty: The good thing about being 6’4″ is definitely that everyone else thinks it’s an advantage (laughs). But there are disadvantages also. You are slower than others and have to be strong on your legs. Front-court movements are especially difficult, though from the back court, hitting strokes is an advantage.
How did your strong net game develop?
Ayush Shetty: My dribble was always good on the net. But I used to pick shuttles very low earlier. In the last one year training at PPBA, the biggest improvement is that I’m catching the shuttle high and striking early at the net.
Your game is often compared to Viktor Axelsen’s (he too is 6’4″) and you have also trained with him. What did you learn most from him?
Ayush Shetty: When I practiced with him, initially I always thought he is a great player because of his attack. But watching him I realised he also has a great defense and that was when I started working hard on my defense. Because you need excellent defense, just attack doesn’t help.
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Did you grow up idolising him or Lin Dan or anyone else?
Ayush Shetty: I was a huge fan of Lee Chong Wei always. He was just too fast and had a great attack. I think Lee Zii Jia has the best backhand currently. Though my whipped backhand is natural, I do try to play a little like him. But reaching that level is still far away. I have always wanted to beat Chou Tien Chen, and after finally beating him, it was very nice of him to say ‘Good job’ to me.
What’s the goal for 2025 and long term?
Ayush Shetty: To break into Top 20 or 25 in 2025. But my biggest dream is to win the All England. I’ve never been there but I’ve imagined it often. Olympics, of course, is everyone’s dream.
How has the support from the family been?
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Ayush Shetty: I come from Mangalore and I can’t put my family’s support into words. My Dad has had to stay alone which was tough while my mother and sister moved to Bengaluru with me because I had to train here. Even back then we had to travel 60 km by train.
The early years were challenging but we didn’t know much about the international circuit, so I didn’t feel I was missing out on anything because all my focus was on All India events. Thinking about internationals was out of the question.
What do you miss about Mangalore?
Ayush Shetty: Family. Friends. And neer dosa with chicken. When I’m not playing I like to talk to my friends and spend time with them.
