'Not thinking about rankings': Kidambi Srikanth focussed on doing well in future events

The ace shuttler is on a roll having won four Superseries titles this year.
'Not thinking about rankings': Kidambi Srikanth focussed on doing well in future events
'Not thinking about rankings': Kidambi Srikanth focussed on doing well in future events
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Ace shuttler Kidambi Srikanth who became the first Indian to win four Superseries titles in a calendar year after winning the French Open on Sunday, said he was “not thinking about rankings or records”.  

The 24-year-old Srikanth beat Japan's Kenta Nishimoto in straight games to win the men's singles title at the French Open Superseries on Sunday to also become the first Indian to win the French Open.

"I am very happy with the way it has been for me. I wasn't really thinking of winning. When I went there, I was just thinking to play well and give my best. I was not really thinking about the records," Srikanth.

Addressing reporters in Hyderabad on Tuesday, he also spoke about how he had lost narrowly against the same opponent at the Japan Open in the quarter-final stage and added, “I was trying to play 10% better than the last time.”

"My aim was to play well and do the best, play my 100%. I am really happy with the way I played in the last couple of days. There were good tournaments for me and there were quite a few tough matches and I am really happy with the way I played and pulled through those matches. In future, I have three more tournaments and I am planning to do well there too," he added.

Srikanth who has two consecutive Superseries titles under his belt after winning the Denmark Open and the French Open, said, “'I am not really thinking about rankings. If you consistently do well, rankings will follow.”

He is also the only Indian player to reach five Superseries finals.

Reflecting on his calm demeanour, Srikanth said that tennis legend Roger Federer is his inspiration while admitting, “Emotions do come, you really can’t act or do anything about it.”

He also spoke about a change in mindset which has helped him play better after an injury spell earlier this year. “Overall mindset has changed, I am now ready to play longer matches.”

After becoming only the second player to win two successive Superseries titles, twice in the same year, he is expected to move up two spots to World no. 2 when the latest rankings list is released on Thursday.

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