Satwik-Chirag Credit ‘Small Tactical Changes’ With Mathias Boe For Singapore Open Triumph

Former World No 1 doubles badminton pair Satwik-Chirag returned to winning ways after more than 700 days, and they did so in style, defeating Indonesia's Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Fajar Alfian in the Singapore Open final.

The Indian duo came back from behind to defeat the Indonesian pair 18-21, 21-17, 21-16. In this extraordinary run of form, SatChi also managed to defeat the World No 1 pairing of Seo Seung-Jae and Kim Won-Ho of South Korea in the semi-final (21-18, 21-19).

The win not only ended their title drought but also made them the first Indian duo to win the prestigious Singapore Open (BWF 750 tournament) since it was inaugurated way back in 1929. For Satwik-Chirag, it has been a 'bucket list' to win tournaments in and around Asia, long considered as the powerhouse of the racket sport. Meanwhile, off the field, the badminton world was rocked by the surprise when it was revealed that Mathias Boe, the former coach of SatChi, has been working behind the scenes silently to make them tactically robust.

In the post-match press conference with a select media gathering, myKhel asked the 'Brothers of Destruction' a few important questions on these developments and their preparations ahead of the Asian Games 2026 in Japan.

'We Actually Forgot That...' Satwik On Singapore Open Win

When asked about their remarkable achievement of being the first Indian pair to top the podium in Singapore, Satwik revealed the duo realised it very late. "We actually forgot about that part (being the first Indian players to do this). We're usually just focused on doing well and winning matches. Whether we win or lose, we just keep going," Satwik said.
Satwik, who was part of the Indian side that bagged the bronze medal in the Thomas Cup in Denmark, further claimed that while the wins bring the plaudits to them, the loss would have been equally excruciating. So, rather than the wins and losses, the duo try staying in a positive loop, hoping to improve every day. "For me, it's always been about winning tournaments. We're just in a loop that we always wanted to do well."

The 25-year-old shuttler from Andhra Pradesh further reflected on the journey behind their Singapore Open triumph, emphasising that his focus has always been on winning tournaments across major venues like Korea, Japan and Indonesia. "I have a kind of bucket list, I want to win tournaments in all the major places like Korea, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, wherever we play," he added.

Satwik admitted Singapore had earlier been a difficult stop, with multiple first-round exits even during their world No. 1 phase. However, a semifinal finish last year after injury boosted their confidence. This time, he credited a crucial mental shift and belief in their champion status for the title run, adding that they remained focused on giving their best rather than records, even as they became the first Indian winners.

Chirag Highlights Mathias Boe's Tactical Edge

Satwik's partner Chirag Shetty highlighted the impact of former Olympic silver medallist Mathias Boe's return to the Indian setup. He said the changes brought in have been small but effective. According to Chirag, even minor tactical tweaks can make a big difference during matches, and the Danish legend's insights have been vital, e.g. his suggestion to choose a smash down the line instead of aiming at the body changed the outcomes.

He also highlighted the importance of watching matches beforehand and preparing with a clear plan. "It could be something like choosing to smash down the line instead of targeting the body, minor adjustments that can make a big difference in matches. Watching matches beforehand and getting those tactical inputs has really helped us," the Indian shuttler said.

Chirag added that both Mathias Boe and their doubles coach Tan Kim Her have played key roles in guiding the pair. Their inputs, he said, have worked well in recent matches. On the future of the partnership (with Boe), Chirag clarified that nothing has been finalised yet. He mentioned that the collaboration is still in its early stages. However, he remained optimistic, saying things are progressing well for now. "Right now, nothing is confirmed on paper. We've just started working together, so it's too early to say anything. But things are going well at the moment. Let's see how it progresses," he added.