Indonesia Open: The construction of Lakshya Sen’s flashy defense: Coach Vimal Kumar scythes the excitement, having to keep his ward Lakshya Sen’s feet firmly planted even as the Indonesian fans went bonkers over some of his incredible reaction shoots. “That’s not his signature shot or anything,” he remarks, brushing off Sen’s incredible body defense stroke against Kenta Nishimoto in the second set, which Sen hit on an 11-8 score. It was the shot that sent the Japanese player reeling, as he lost 21-9, 21-15 in the Indonesia Open Super 1000 pre-quarterfinals in Jakarta.
The strict taskmaster Vimal was quick to point out that Friday’s quarterfinal matchup against Anders Antonsen was the “real test.” DK Sen, the father and co-coach, would gush about it and say that it’s just one of those things that Sen does well when he’s in the zone. But after the defensive brilliance, both of them realized that the tough Nishimoto’s back was broken.
World No. 12 Nishimoto is renowned for his relentless winning. After losing the first game 21-9, he appeared to be coming back strong in the second, winning 5 straight points by picking up the tempo and hitting the lines to Sen’s forehand, which always puts the Indian player in danger, to lead 8-6. Sen found his rhythm at this point, as his ridiculous reflex defense makes opponents drool in shock as the shuttle is astonishingly returned.
The previous point, with match margins getting close, celebrity commentator Gill Clark had been staking her Earl Grey tea on a line call. At10-8, the two engaged in a frantic rally, when the Japanese fired Sen a charging smash that landed most awkwardly on his torso, near the elbow of the hand that normally holds the racquet. Not only did the Indian foresee it, but he instinctively turned slightly to the left, creating enough space for a quick backhand reflex return with his wrist. It also moved.
At nine or ten, Nishimoto had appeared to be getting closer. However, the shuttle launched itself from a nearly unretrievable position as if it were being catapulted out of a very tight corner, then rocketed to the half court, giving the Indian team a tidy 11-8 lead and an incredible triumph. Nishimoto had unnecessary time to reflect on the “what just happened” shot during that interval, and he proceeded to play like though he had seen a ghost.
Sen was to be pushed to the back court and kept away from the net as part of the Japanese plan. Because he had forced Sen closer to the baseline, where a reflex flick cannot cross the net, he even earned a body smash point at 17–12. Playing flat and in Sen’s stomping zone from mid-court to the net, Nishimoto, however, could not shake his fear that Sen would pull off one of his absurd defensive coups. Sen ended up having a productive 45-minute walk.
Sen was to be pushed to the back court and kept away from the net as part of the Japanese plan. Because he had forced Sen closer to the baseline, where a reflex flick cannot cross the net, he even earned a body smash point at 17–12. Playing flat and in Sen’s stomping zone from mid-court to the net, Nishimoto, however, could not shake his fear that Sen would pull off one of his absurd defensive coups. Sen ended up having a productive 45-minute walk.
It resembled steering to third man or the late cut in cricket. “Since the smash is approaching so quickly, the defense only needs to apply halka sa, or minor direction while sending it back. To react, one must be focused, Sen Sr. continued.
The team wasn’t ignorant to what that reflex defense winner could do to an opponent’s head. “Doosra aadmi off-balance ho jaata hai,” DK Sen laughs. He picked the idea from boxing. “When you are being bombarded with punches in range-boxing, if you just suddenly duck and dodge, the opponent’s guard is down, but if you send a swift counter, it can be a good move,” he stresses. “Turning a disadvantage into advantage. Lakshya is also very agile, and when his defense works, he gets that flow,” Sen Sr says.
Reflex defense against body smashes is something that Vimal Kumar, who has really spent hours honing this defence, claims has always been a component of his counterattacking strategy. His responses have improved since he has grown accustomed to it. Like Rafael Nadal, he absorbs blows before countering them,” he remarks. To make it appear as though everything is muscle memory, Vimal subjects him to rigorous sessions at the Padukone Academy in Bangalore, where they multifeed four people against one.
There are stories that claim Sen can defend all day while the other three become exhausted after two minute rallies and need to be switched around.
Sen’s sideways dive and quick recovery from the follow-up are undoubtedly his best-looking defensive plays. However, instructor Sagar Chopda claims that developing that innate instinct took countless hours of training. Although he is skilled at defense, it’s amazing how much effort he puts into improving it. He has been instructed by Vimal Sir to respond quickly with the racquet when his opponent dribbles and applies pressure with a body stroke. Opponents become ruffled every time he takes it, according to Chopda. “It’s just very well controlled; it’s not struck hard.”
Sen makes no claims to having the hardest smashes, like Satwik-Chirag or Prannoy, who get their strength from their legs first, then their body, and last their shoulders. This instinct even powers his hit. Thus, all young people believe that in order to get an opportunity, you have to have a really big smash. However, Lakshya was one of the few children I observed who aspired to and understood that his defense must be good in order to generate attacks. Sayali Gokhale, Chopda’s partner, was one of Sen’s first traveling coaches. Sen remembers her telling him how much she loved seeing Sen pull off several defensive heists.
