Sumeeth, Sikki to make history in Thailand Open

Set to become first Indian husband-wife duo to play a badminton Super Series event

Hyderabad: Hyderabad’s Sumeeth Reddy and Sikki Reddy will make history when they become the first husband and wife pair from India to participate in the mixed doubles event of the badminton $1,000,000 Thailand Open BWF World Tour Super 1000 that starts in Bangkok from January 12 to 17. It is the first big tournament of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) after the Covid-19 pandemic that had disrupted the 2020 calendar.

England’s Chris and Gabby Adcock is the only husband and wife mixed doubles pair in the world now.

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“It is a big tournament as most of the players will be in fray after a long gap because of the Covid-19. We are all eagerly waiting for the tournament to start and there are a good number of entries in this event. It will be a huge test for all the players. We all are tentative and nervous,” said 29-year-old Sumeeth, who married Sikki in March 2019.

Although they were in the circuit for a long time, they never gave a try in the mixed doubles even after marriage. The left-handed Sikki had partnered Pranav Jerry Chopra in mixed doubles till recently while Sumeeth had never had a settled partner in this category.

The 27-year-old Sikki said Sumeeth was not ready to play her as a partner in the tournaments although they played in a couple of practice matches. “Our game styles are different. It didn’t work for me and Sumeeth,” she said.

But during the long Covid-19 break, they thought why not give it a try as Chopra was fighting with injuries. Chief coach Pullela Gopichand also asked Sikki to play with Sumeeth. “Actually, when I told Gopi sir that Jerry is injured, he suggested why not I take Sumeeth as my doubles partner,” said Sikki.

Sumeeth said: “When Gopi Sir says, it is good only. I trust his wisdom and the knowledge of the game.”

Sikki straightaway suggested they will play in the Thailand Open. “We thought if we get an entry why not play. It will be good to start as we continue to stay and play together. We are hoping to perform well in the tournaments.”

Sumeeth said there is nothing wrong in taking a wife as a partner. “We are hoping for the best. The challenge is here to be more professional on the court, rather thinking she is my wife. Of course, as a husband and wife, there will be better understanding on the court. New challenges are always good,” he pointed out.

Sikki said Sumeeth is a speedy customer and has a lot of patience on the court. “He can play long rallies. We have to be more energetic on the court. Usually, in mixed doubles, the women players give opening for the men player for finishing the point.”

Sumeeth pointed out that Sikki was really playing well for the last two years. “Then there is the left-right combination. We can take that advantage as very few left-handed players are in the circuit. She is obviously a stroke player and we have focus little more on our movement.”

Sikki will continue to partner Ashwini Ponnappa in the women’s doubles event. “She was here for three weeks and we had good sessions.”

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