HYDERABAD: Kidambi Srikanth said the Indonesian Open singles title he won on Sunday was a Father’s Day gift to his dad K.V.S. Krishna.
“Of the three Super Series titles I won — 2014 China Open, 2105 India Super Series and now Indonesian Open — this one is special as it came on Father’s Day and I dedicate this to my dad who has been a great source of inspiration right through,” Srikanth told The Hindu from Jakarta on Sunday.
“Every Super Series win has its own importance. I don’t want to compare this with the other two. But, coming after a long gap, I feel this is very significant as I have set my eyes on August’s World Championship in Scotland,” the world No. 22 said.
“A lot of credit for my recent performances should go to my Indonesian coach Mulyo Handoyo (singles coach at Gopi Academy and the one who trained Taufik Hidayat to the Olympic gold). After he joined us, I have been doing well of late, especially as I am coming back after an injury. Mulyo’s style is different from Gopi anna’s. He makes us do things in a very different way. I am more confident, mentally tougher and feeling much better out there in the middle,” he said.
“The urge to excel at the highest level will always be there. Sometimes things don’t fall in place. The main objective will be to keep improving and be consistent,” said Srikanth.
“The conditions were very tricky and anything could have happen. I saw matches turn around completely after the 11-point breaks. Though Sakai Kazumasa was aggressive in the first-half of the second game, I was confident. Once I decided to attack and and work up a good pace, I knew I would be back in the match.
“It is always a great feeling to see Indians figure in the knock-out stages of the Super Series. Clearly a reminder that the men’s players are a force to reckon with. Now, I hope to make sure that there is greater consistency in winning big titles.” Srikanth signed off.
