HS Prannoy’s journey at the 2025 World Championships came to an end with a heartbreaking defeat to Danish World No 2 Anders Antonsen, after being on the brink of a massive upset. Hurting after the match, the 33-year-old indicated that he might just have one more campaign left at the Worlds in his career, stating that his body is not reacting how he’d like to the rigours on tour.
“I don’t know. I think probably one more maximum. I just feel I really want to push for a couple of more years, but I really doubt. I think probably one would be the max, which I’m expecting to do if I stretch really hard,” Prannoy told BWF Media after the draining round of 32 match, which lasted an hour and 21 minutes. Prannoy lost it 8-21, 21-17, 21-23 after having a couple of match points in the deciding third game.
“I think it’s a struggle, to be honest. I’ve been constantly trying to improve on that front (fitness). I think game-wise, I’m there. I can still play for a couple of years more, I feel. (Smiles) But fitness-wise, I’m probably not able to keep up with these youngsters out there. The pace is too high and sometimes the body’s not reacting how I want it to. It’s a tad slower, I would say. It’s part and parcel of the game because the sport is that fast and too explosive. It tends to be on that side,” he said.
‘It always hurts’
Next year’s edition will be hosted at home for Prannoy in India. When asked if that will make a difference, Prannoy simply said: “Maybe”. Prannoy had won bronze at the last edition in Copenhagen, having stunned the home favourite Viktor Axelsen back then. It was a spell on the tour where he was constantly pushing the best players in the world, and it eventually took him to Paris Olympics. But it has been a struggle on tour since then for the former world No 6.
After dropping the opening game rather comfortably, the veteran turned things around with his superb gameplay, putting Antonsen under constant pressure. Prannoy had two match points in the third game but eventually Antonsen kept his cool to save them and get over the line. “It always hurts,” said Prannoy about losing in that fashion. “It’s a big event and one match can change the course of the tournament. Beating somebody who is in form, I think, gives you a lot of confidence. But if you’re on the other side, it just takes that entire effort away and you just doubt yourself again. I really didn’t want to be in that situation again, but that’s what it is.”
He admitted that his focus may have wavered towards the end, conceding that he played a few bad shots in that part of the match. “I should have kept a little bit more energy and tried to be on the attacking side. I think he was looking for an attack and I gave him a few easy smashes for him and that probably changed the game. Should have taken a little bit more chances in the net and probably played a little bit more patiently,” said Prannoy.
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