When people expect more, it means they believe in you: HS Prannoy on social media’s double edge

Currently ranked World number 35 in men’s singles, HS Prannoy remains one of India’s most resilient and respected badminton players. During an exclusive interaction in Lucknow, the 33-year-old shuttler spoke candidly about motivation, mindset and the evolving landscape of Indian badminton. Known for his composure under pressure and leadership within the national setup, Prannoy reflected on his long journey and what keeps him passionate about badminton even after more than 15 years on the international circuit. A topsy-turvy journey to leadershipLooking back on his evolution from a promising junior to a senior leader, he described the journey as “topsy-turvy.” He shared, “I’m glad I stayed patient through the tough phases and trusted that things would improve. The path has taught me that progress isn’t linear; you face breaks, challenges, and uncertainty. The key is to enjoy the process, push yourself into uncomfortable zones, and keep improving. Even now, I don’t consider myself a complete player; there’s always room to grow.” No regrets, just fireTalking about what keeps him going through highs and lows, Prannoy said, “One thing I’ve learned is not to have regrets after my career. There have been moments when I doubted myself or felt like stopping, but what keeps me going is proving every day that I belong at this level. The joy of competing at the biggest tournaments, in front of big crowds, keeps that fire alive. Even after breaks and setbacks, that feeling of playing at the highest level motivates me to continue.”Conquering GERD through mental disciplineOvercoming career-threatening Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in 2018 and again in early 2025, Prannoy peaked at elite levels. Known for performing under pressure, Prannoy believes that mental preparation is a daily discipline rather than a pre-match ritual. “It’s a consistent process,” he explained. “You need to address issues as they arise and find solutions, just like physical training. Spending even 10–15 minutes a day working on your mental side helps you become more stable and focused during matches.” Social media: Criticism as fuelDiscussing the impact of social media, Prannoy admitted that it can be both challenging and rewarding and he navigated it like a double-edged sword. “It’s tough when you’re not playing well, people can be critical. But when you perform, the same platform becomes a place of celebration. I’ve learned to take criticism positively. When people expect more, it means they believe in you. Even negative comments can motivate you, they push you to train harder and prove yourself again.”Pride and pressure in team gloryRepresenting India in team events continues to be a source of pride for him. “It’s always a proud moment to represent the country in such major tournaments. Being among the top 10 players chosen brings both pride and responsibility. The whole nation looks up to you for consistent performances. I love that pressure, it brings out the best in me.”Goals? Just pure enjoymentOn future goals, he said he’s moved away from setting rigid targets. “Honestly, I have no fixed targets right now. My goal is to enjoy every tournament. After being on tour for so long, there are days when it’s hard to push yourself physically, but I remind myself why I love the game. Enjoying the process is the main focus; when that happens, results follow naturally.”Advice to young shuttlers: six days can change it allOffering a message to young shuttlers, Prannoy said, “There will always be uncertainty, but remember — sometimes it takes just six good days of badminton to change everything. Even after a bad phase, one good tournament can turn it around. Keep working hard, trust yourself, and believe that things will fall into place if you stay consistent.”Betting big on India’s young gunsOn India’s rising badminton scene, he expressed confidence in the younger generation. “We have a strong bunch of young players doing really well. The challenge is to maintain that hunger and consistency. I hope the younger batch continues to target bigger tournaments and fights for every spot. That kind of fire will keep Indian badminton moving forward.”Among upcoming players, Prannoy named several who have caught his attention. “In men’s singles, Ayush, Priyanshu, and Tarun are showing great promise and can break into the top 20 soon. In women’s singles, Unnathi Hooda and Tanvi Sharma look very promising.”