Winning is a mindset
Strap: …Says Ayush Shetty, after US Open triumph as he preps for Macau Open and takes cues from Viktor Axelsen’s solo journey
Byline: Shivani Venugopal
Fresh from his maiden senior men’s singles international win at the US Open Super 300 in June, a calm and confident Ayush Shetty says the victory is “special”.
At a time when Indian badminton finds itself on a shaky footing, the 20-year-old Mangalorean is sweating it out at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence (PDCSE), gearing up for the Macau Open, scheduled from July 29 to August 3.
For the past few years, Ayush has been honing his skills under head coach Sagar Chopda at the Centre. Asked what they are currently focusing on, he says it’s his defence and smash variations from the rear court that still need some polish.
Our Bangalore recently caught up with the duo during a practice session for a candid tête-à-tête. As the conversation unfolded, US Open champion Ayush and coach Chopda opened up on a range of topics — from training routines and tournament prep to the European mindset towards competition.
They also reflected on insights gained during Ayush’s stint in Dubai, where he trained under two-time Olympian Viktor Axelsen, and more. Read on…
OB: What was it like to win the US Open Super 300 – your maiden senior international title?
Shetty: It feels great and it’s special since it’s my first international win in the senior men’s singles category. This win has boosted my confidence for the upcoming tournaments.
Chopda: Though Ayush has seen success in recent months on the senior circuit, winning a title is always special — and clinching his maiden senior international crown at the US Open marks a strong start. In fact, after his semi-final win over Chou Tien-Chen, he was eager to step into the final — a promising sign.
OB: What worked in your favour against the top seed and much more experienced player Chou
Shetty: Just like me, Chou is also an attacking player. He’s among the top 10 player and I remained focused on my defence; being diligent and disciplined worked.
Chopda: Ayush has a big smash and very good net game, which gives him the ability to create good openings. Though, there’s a lot of scope for improvement, I found Ayush’s defence a lot better in the US Open, one of the aspects he’s been working on since a year.
OB: How did training with Viktor Axelsen in Dubai help you?
Shetty: It was a fantastic experience to train with the world’s best player. I got a genuine perspective to improvise on my defence from Viktor.
Chopda: It has definitely helped Ayush and other players who went to Dubai to train with Viktor. It was just not about the training sessions, but also to see the way Viktor manages himself on and off the court as he doesn’t have a full-time coach and trains independently. He plans not only his training sessions but also his physiotherapy, diet and exercise regimen.
OB: How was it to travel to tournaments by yourself?
Shetty: I’ve seen Viktor doing it and got confidence from him. It’s indeed tough, but it makes you more responsible since you have to do everything by yourself – on and off the court.
Chopda: Travelling alone brings the responsibility of not only the game, but other aspects as well. An athlete has to conduct oneself with discipline off court as well, which determines the on-court game. Training with Viktor made Ayush believe in himself to evolve and play independently like Viktor.
OB: So, what does the current US Open Super 300 champ have to improve in his game?
Shetty: I need to improve across the board to be the best, but I’m focusing more on defence and front-court movement
Chopda: Along with his defence, Ayush needs to work on his shot variations from the rear court. He’s begun to realise that even his powerful smashes are being returned with ease. He’s also focusing on developing his parallel game — a style the Europeans excel at. This, in fact, explains why Ayush performs better against Asian opponents than against European ones.
OB: How well are you training for the upcoming Macau Open?
Shetty: I’m just enjoying the preparation and my progress rather than thinking about Macau Open.
Chopda: The win over Lee Chia-hao at the Taipei Open and his third victory against Brian Yang have boosted Ayush’s self-belief — a confidence now visible in training and translating well into tournament results. But going forward, all eyes will be on his strategy. For Ayush, the key is to stay consistent and keep putting in the work.
OB: What’s the key to consistent performance?
Shetty: It’s about having a winning mindset. Even during training, Viktor maintains a forward-looking approach and always gives his best.
Chopda: We often see players turned into superstars after a single win — placed on a pedestal too soon. Victories should be celebrated, yes, but they must remain grounded in the moment before moving on to the next challenge. For Ayush, the US Open win is a stepping stone, not a destination. Our job is to keep him grounded — to ensure the win touches his heart, not his head — if he’s to become the best.
OB: Do you see yourself and Tanvi Sharma as the silver lining in Indian badminton’s current rough patch?
Ayush Shetty: The sport is definitely growing, and the domestic circuit is highly competitive right now.
Chopda: It’s true we haven’t won many titles lately, but the talent pool is strong. We now have six Indian women’s singles players in the world’s top 50 — that’s unprecedented. In men’s singles too, players like Kiran George, Priyanshu Rajawat, and Ayush are leading the charge. India has five players in the top 50 — a feat few countries outside China can match. We’re moving in the right direction; it’s just a matter of staying patient and keeping the support going.