HS Prannoy’s stellar performance in 2023 has given way to a challenging 2024 due to health setbacks. Despite a difficult start to the year, he is determined to make a strong return at the Paris Olympics.
Last year marked a high point in Prannoy’s career as the Kerala-born shuttler clinched bronze medals at both the World Championships and the Asian Games. He also reached multiple finals on the BWF World Tour, winning the Malaysia Masters and achieving a career-high world ranking of No. 6.
However, 2024 has been a stark contrast for Prannoy, who will turn 32 in two weeks. With a win-loss record of 10-14 and eight early exits in 10 individual tournaments, he has yet to reach a final this year.
Currently undergoing a month-long training stint in Hyderabad, Prannoy is gearing up for his Olympic debut later this month. He believes the men’s singles competition in Paris will be wide open.
“The last year in men’s singles has shown that anyone can win Olympic gold. It’s an exciting and unpredictable event where any player in the world can surprise,” Prannoy stated from Hyderabad.
Prannoy referred to the openness of the men’s singles field over the past year. The dominance of reigning Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen has waned, with the Dane winning only one title this year compared to seven in 2023. Five different players have claimed Super 500 or higher-rated tournaments this year, unlike the past two seasons.
“You have to be very cautious and can’t take any match for granted. Even players who secure Olympic quotas are formidable. Kevin Cordon from Guatemala demonstrated this by finishing fourth in Tokyo, highlighting the depth in men’s singles. On their day, anyone can beat the top players,” he added.
While other players have thrived, Prannoy’s performance has dipped this year due to a health issue. For the past four months, he has struggled with persistent nausea caused by a malfunctioning muscle lining the oesophagus, leading to regurgitation. This condition is similar to acid reflux, which he experienced in 2018-19 before finding a solution. The issue also caused him to lose five kilograms and had a psychological impact.
“It is challenging when a physical issue troubles you during tournaments. It affects you mentally as well. You tend to retreat into a shell, wondering why it’s happening, especially when doctors can’t initially diagnose the problem,” Prannoy explained.
“You are not in the right frame of mind to enjoy the game, constantly trying to figure out your physical condition. That’s what happened in the first four months of the year, and it took time to recover.”
Doctors have since identified the issue, and Prannoy is on medication. He is also using recovery aids such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and red light therapy to regain his fitness before competing in Paris.
While red light therapy is akin to a sauna, hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves entering a chamber with excess oxygen, beneficial for active recovery after matches or practice.
Aware that the first half of the year has not gone as planned, Prannoy is focused on making a comeback, starting with his debut at the Olympics.
“Performance-wise, I didn’t achieve many targets and couldn’t play consistent badminton, but there were underlying reasons. It made returning to the circuit and playing confidently difficult,” said the world No. 13.
“I feel good now. Playing in the Olympics is a great responsibility. The key is to stay focused and work hard in the coming days. It is a God-given opportunity to perform on the highest stage.”
