Satwiksairaj hails doubles coach Boe, terms Indonesia triumph ‘one of the biggest achievements’

Chief nationwide coach P. Gopi Chand, R. Satwiksairaj, Chirag Shetty and doubles coach Mathias Boe after the Indian pair gained a historic males’s doubles title in the Indonesia Open on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

“It is now three vs two when we take on the opponents as Mathias Boe (doubles specialist coach) is omnipresent when we take on the best,” mentioned R. Satwiksairaj, recent from a historic males’s doubles victory, partnering Chirag Shetty, in the Indonesia Open final Sunday.

In an unique chat with The Hindu on returning dwelling on Tuesday, the 23-year-old Satwik mentioned that Boe has learnt a pair of Hindi phrases too like Peechey, peechey khelo (play again) and had been a very inspirational presence.

“Though we enter the court with a clear strategy, there are moments during the match when Boe chips in with invaluable advice — like during a serve whether to go for the flick or the backhand. His emphasis on reminding us the ‘key points’ during a contest have had a telling effect,” Satwik mentioned.

“He always tells us never to lose a match easily and give more than 100 per cent We have to work like a computer, figuring out a solution for every crisis in double quick time. There will be moments where we have to be good with our instincts,” he mentioned.

“Boe joined us at the right time two years ago and ever since there has been a lot of change in our mindset, approach, and attitude. We are far more confident, definitely not complacent, and very clear in our task.

“The Indonesian doubles triumph is one of the biggest achievements of our life. Boe kept telling us that only legends have been winning this prestigious title. That way, it gave us great satisfaction,” Satwik mentioned.

“The preparations were different for the Indonesian Open. We played as if there was nothing to lose as we realised that every combination is on the same page. All we needed was to stay focussed.

“Once we reached the quarterfinals, the court feeling was much better, like we had control over the drift factor and we were more confident.”

Reflecting on the huge objective forward of profitable an Olympics medal, a smiling Satwik felt it might be all about future.

“From whatever videos I have seen, some of the legends who have been dominant in the circuit in the preceding years have fumbled. Perhaps, they panicked because of expectations,” he mentioned.

“This is exactly what we don’t do. Our focus will be just on preparations and not expectations. We don’t want to think too much about an Olympics medal in the run-up to the mega event.

“If someone says that we (he and Chirag) are the biggest medal hopes from India in the Olympics, I take it as a positive without feeling any pressure at all,” he added.

Reflecting on his journey with Chirag, Satwik recalled that he was a bit stunned when he needed to begin taking part in with Chirag after doing properly with Krishna Prasad in the juniors and seniors circuit.

“I didn’t want to question the choice because I always felt that if I play well, I will get a quality partner. Initially there was some discomfort and the language problem too with Chirag. He thinks in a posh Mumbai style and I have a typical South Indian attitude. But fortunately, for us the common goal was to sync well and win. So, soon, we settled down well and now the results are there for everyone to see.”

What are the areas of focus now? “Need to work more on body language, attitude, and mindset. We are targeting a mindset which fetched us convincing wins against the World No. 1 pair and the reigning world champions in Indonesia. That is the hunger we should have consistently,” Satwik mentioned.

“We want to earn that kind of reputation of being invincible, instil that kind of fear and respect for us where the opponents concede a few easy points very early in a match,” he mentioned.

“With Boe and Gopi Sir (chief national coach) around, we are confident of being consistent at the highest level.

“The secret of our success is that we complement each other in defence and attack. We know when to swap the roles under pressure,” added a assured Satwik as he and Chirag set their sights on the subsequent huge occasions in a month’s time — the Korea and Japan opens.