Satwik-Chirag Insist Singapore Open Triumph Was Never About Silencing Critics
India’s star men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty may have answered their critics with a title-winning performance at the Singapore Open, but the duo insist they were never trying to prove a point.
Weeks after Satwik’s candid remarks on the lack of recognition and support for badminton players sparked widespread debate, the pair ended their two-year wait for a BWF World Tour title by lifting the Singapore Open crown. Yet, for Satwik and Chirag, the victory was about achieving a personal and national goal rather than responding to outside noise.
“Our comments were blown out of proportion,” Chirag Shetty told India Today during a virtual media interaction. “What we wanted to say was simple—sports should be celebrated more. Winning this title wasn’t about proving anyone wrong. We’ve already won on some of the biggest stages in world badminton.”
The Indian pair scripted history on Sunday by becoming the first men’s doubles team from the country to win the Singapore Open. They defeated Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri 18-21, 21-17, 21-16 in a hard-fought final to claim their ninth World Tour title and third Super 750 crown.
Chirag reiterated that their message has remained unchanged despite the attention surrounding Satwik’s earlier comments.
“We don’t want to prove anything to anybody. We just want people to support sports, follow sports and celebrate athletes. Our goal has always been to contribute to Indian sport and inspire more people to take it up,” he said.
The title was particularly meaningful given the challenges the pair have faced over the past two years. Injuries, fitness concerns and missed opportunities had prevented one of India’s most successful doubles combinations from adding to their trophy cabinet, even though they continued to compete among the world’s elite.
The Singapore Open breakthrough finally brought reward for their perseverance and reaffirmed their status as one of the strongest doubles partnerships on the international circuit.
The triumph also came shortly after Satwik voiced his frustration following India’s bronze-medal finish at the 2026 Thomas Cup. The shuttler had spoken openly about feeling a lack of support despite years of success for the national team.
Looking back, Satwik admitted the comments were driven by emotion.
“I was frustrated that day and spoke from the heart. Usually, I’m not like that,” he said. “At that moment, I felt alone, and I wanted to express what many athletes sometimes go through.”
With the Singapore Open trophy now in their hands, Satwik and Chirag believe the bigger conversation should move beyond individual victories. Their hope, they say, is that achievements like these encourage greater appreciation for badminton and inspire a stronger sporting culture in India.
For the pair, the mission remains the same—keep winning for India, keep pushing the sport forward and ensure that badminton receives the attention and support it deserves.
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