New Delhi: There’s a purpose why Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty name Tan Kim Her their ‘daddy’. It was after all of the Malaysian coach who first paired them up, regardless that it was towards their needs, a decade in the past.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy with Chirag Shetty in motion at India Open. (Sanchit Khanna/HT)
It was Tan’s brainwave that developed into the best doubles pairing the nation has seen with Satwik and Chirag attaining a number of firsts and laurels. Although the 53-year-old left Indian shores in 2019 after a four-year stint, he returned to the setup as India’s doubles coach final month after guiding Japan to unprecedented success, reuniting with the pair that attained the world No.1 rating not so way back.
Tan discusses his relationship with Satwik and Chirag, how he can push the world No.9 mix additional and his targets in an interview. Excerpts:
How does it really feel to be again in India after five-and-a-half years?
It’s at all times good to be again. India has given me a variety of (good) reminiscences. After I first got here right here (2015) I simply put in the whole lot, all my efforts. The gamers had been additionally devoted and trusted me. Not solely Satwik-Chirag, the others too. So, I really feel prefer it’s my residence. The seeds had been sown again then. Now I see the fruit rising. It offers me happiness.
You left in 2019 when Satwik-Chirag had been upcoming. Now they’re a high pair. How do you see the transition?
I have to give credit score to (Mathias) Boe. He did a great job. That’s why they’ve moved up. When you find yourself on the high, it’s not straightforward to take care of that place. It’s a must to be very disciplined and dedicated. They was once world No.1. Now they’ve dropped to No.9. My job now with them shouldn’t be like earlier instances. Then they’d no thought how one can develop into world class. At the moment, I advised them to only observe what I say. Now, it’s totally different. Now, they’re on the high, enjoying at a excessive stage. Now I don’t inform them to observe my directions. We now focus on the coaching programme or what’s taking place (game-wise) or why they lose. They need to know why they lose once they do.
What are your targets?
We’ve to enhance in sure areas the place they’ll simply develop into higher. There’s a variety of dialogue between me and them now not like earlier when there was not a lot speaking, simply me instructing. Now I do a variety of evaluation with them. We do a variety of speaking. We plan which tournaments are necessary as each month we now have tournaments. We’ve to select and select. Additionally, we should choose the fitting ones, just like the majors which we’ve by no means received earlier than like All England, World Championships, World Tour Finals and naturally the Olympics. These are the key occasions I need from them. However it’s good they received the Asian Video games. Aside from that, it is vitally open in different tournaments. We win some, we lose some so it’s okay.
Which areas Satwik and Chirag have identified to you the place they wish to enhance?
After all, I received’t put let you know (laughs). The others will know. I’ll attempt to enhance sure areas the place they aren’t (at their finest). Attacking sensible, aspect management, serve-receive, they’re superb. Aside from that, there are small issues the place I might be specializing in.
How do you suppose they do in reverse positions when Satwik must be up entrance and Chirag within the rear?
Satwik has improved quite a bit in entrance however can nonetheless be higher. Now the sport has modified. It’s not needed that each time Satwik must be behind or Chirag in entrance. Now, they need to learn the sport as opponents additionally know their positions. We’ve to confuse them. Like when Satwik will get an opportunity, he can transfer in entrance. They will transfer round so long as each can learn the opponent’s recreation. That’s what I advised them issues like relying on the opponent, what sort of formulation they should play towards them.
In the previous few occasions, at instances they’ve been unable to intercept service variation…
These days, not simply us however everyone seems to be focussing on the primary three photographs that are essential. If you happen to management properly, the probabilities of successful are excessive. In case your first 3-4 photographs are good, the opponent is aware of they’re beneath stress. We’ve to kill them (the shuttle) then. We’ve to work on this additionally, which is what I’ve been discussing with them.
What’s the distinction you see between your two teaching stints in the case of the Indian doubles scene?
Now I can see a system for doubles. They’ve a correct programme. I actually consider Gayatri (Gopichand) and Treesa (Jolly) can enter the world’s high 5. They’re younger. In the event that they plan properly and systematically, even Dhruv (Kapila) and Tanisha (Crasto) will be within the high 10.