Lakshya Sen Targets Injury-Free Fitness After Hylo Open Win

India’s leading men’s singles Badminton player, Lakshya Sen, is determined to keep competing at the highest level despite dealing with recurring fitness concerns. Fresh from winning the Hylo Open title in Germany, Sen has opened up about the physical challenges behind his performances, explaining how his demanding playing style places significant pressure on his back and shoulder.

Sen’s career has featured impressive highs alongside difficult periods of inconsistency. He has shown that he can compete with and defeat some of the world’s top-ranked players, but injuries and physical discomfort have sometimes prevented him from performing at his best. His latest Super 500 triumph has offered a timely boost after a difficult run of results.

The victory also brought attention to a less visible part of his journey: managing a body that regularly faces physical strain while maintaining the confidence and determination required to compete against elite opponents.

Lakshya Sen reveals ongoing niggles and injury concerns

Sen acknowledged that he has experienced several minor physical problems, although he clarified that none had been serious enough to force him to miss major tournaments. However, he admitted that there were matches when he was not fully fit, affecting his ability to perform consistently.

“There were niggles, injury issues, nothing major to miss out on big events, but… some matches I wasn’t 100 percent.”

The Indian shuttler believes that listening to his body is essential. Rather than rushing back into competition or attempting to play every available tournament, he wants to understand his physical condition, regain confidence and avoid putting unnecessary pressure on himself.

His father, DK Sen, explained that people outside the player’s immediate circle may not fully understand the physical difficulties he faces. Even relatively small problems can become significant obstacles when an athlete is trying to perform at the highest level.

“Not everyone understands Lakshya’s problem, even the media and his fans. Even small issues can be big obstacles to peak performance. Spasms, back pain, shoulder stiffness he lives in constant fear of aggravating injuries and has to work around that.”

According to his father, Sen’s playing style places considerable demands on his spine, back and shoulder. Movements that appear routine during a badminton match can create additional stress, meaning even a minor physical issue or a change in his usual movement can affect his performance.

DK Sen also described the uncertainty involved in managing the player’s training and recovery. It is difficult to predict how the body will respond to physical demands, and decisions about how much to push during practice often depend on the player’s own assessment.

“You can’t say how his body will react, because nobody can control injuries. The player knows best, and even the doctor knows only if the player can articulate it.”

Injury-free fitness becomes Lakshya Sen’s main target

Despite his latest title success, Sen is not setting an aggressive target based purely on the number of tournaments he wants to win. Instead, his immediate priority is to remain healthy and build a consistent routine that allows him to compete without constantly worrying about physical setbacks.

The shuttler understands that winning titles remains important, particularly after reaching two All England Open finals without lifting the trophy. However, he also recognises the difficulty of maintaining top form in a demanding international badminton calendar.

“I want to target being injury-free. Of course I want to compete, win titles. But competition is very tough. So I plan to go deep into tournaments when I feel fit, continue routines, enjoy it on and off court and see how far it goes rather than think of results.”

His approach reflects a preference for managing his fitness carefully instead of allowing expectations to dictate his schedule. Sen wants to continue following his routines, enjoy his time both on and off the court, and compete deeply in tournaments when his body is ready.

For a player whose best performances have come against some of the strongest names in badminton, staying physically available could be an important part of maintaining his position among the elite.

Sen’s attacking game remains a major weapon

Sen’s playing style has often attracted attention for its attacking qualities, but the Indian shuttler does not place too much importance on statistics or individual shots. When asked whether match data provides him with positive reinforcement, he indicated that it does not play a major role in how he views his performances.

He also played down the idea that his smash is something extraordinary, describing it simply as one part of his overall game. Sen explained that the round-the-head cross-court shot was a natural weapon when he was younger, but video analysis has changed how frequently he uses it.

“It’s just a smash after all. (Round-the-head cross-court) was one of my weapons when young. Came naturally. But now after video analysis, I don’t use it much.”

During his Hylo Open victory over world No. 6 Jonatan Christie, Sen produced an attacking smash that helped him put his opponent under pressure. The shot was described as a powerful attacking weapon generated through the elbow rather than the shoulder.

His ability to combine attacking intensity with tactical adjustments remains an important feature of his game. However, the physical demands of that approach also underline why managing his back and shoulder is so important.

Pressure of representing India does not define his approach on court

As one of India’s leading badminton players, Sen carries considerable expectations whenever he competes internationally. He acknowledged the pressure that comes with representing the country but said he tries not to think about legacy or expectations while playing.

“At this stage, I just want to keep performing. There’s a lot of pressure performing for the country. But I don’t think about it when playing or I will get affected. Focus on finishing and winning.”

For Sen, the priority during a match is to concentrate on completing the contest and securing victory. Thinking too much about the expectations surrounding him could affect his focus, so he prefers to keep his attention on the immediate challenge.

His recent performances also show the difference that match fitness can make. At the World Championships in Delhi, he was short of match practice and failed to make the most of the opportunity on home soil. At the Hylo Open, however, he enjoyed five consecutive days of solid badminton on his way to the title.

Coach Vimal Kumar expects more from the Indian shuttler

Sen’s coach, Vimal Kumar, believes the Hylo Open victory was an important result, particularly after the player’s difficult stretch. He admitted that he had not realised Sen was managing a physical niggle during the World Championships.

While the title win was welcome, Kumar believes Sen has the ability to achieve more. He pointed out that the Indian often performs particularly well against higher-ranked opponents, while matches against less familiar players can become more complicated.

“I didn’t realise he was managing a niggle at the World Championships. The Hylo win (on Sunday) was much needed. But I expect a lot more. Lakshya plays better-ranked players better than most. He just knows how to beat them. Against unknown ones, he gets into one of his moods.”

The coach’s observation highlights one of the central challenges in Sen’s career: translating his ability to produce outstanding performances against top opponents into greater consistency across tournaments. The fear of losing may also become a factor in matches where expectations and pressure are different.

Japan next after a week of rest

Following his Hylo Open title, Sen is set to take a week’s rest before travelling to Japan for his next tournament. The break will give him an opportunity to recover after five demanding days of competition and prepare for another challenge on the international circuit.

His immediate focus remains on maintaining his fitness, following his established routines and competing when his body allows him to perform at his best. Rather than making promises about a long list of titles, Sen is choosing a measured approach built around staying healthy and progressing through tournaments.

That balance between physical caution and attacking ambition continues to define his career. Sen has the ability to produce exceptional badminton, but managing recurring niggles remains essential if he is to turn those performances into sustained success. His Hylo Open triumph has provided encouragement, while his next challenge will be to carry that momentum forward without compromising his fitness.