The World Championships will be held at the Indira Gandhi Arena from August 17 to 23, marking the prestigious tournament's return to India after 17 years.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The fifth-seeded Satwik and Chirag, who have received a first-round bye, will face the winner of the opening-round clash between Scotland\u2019s Alexander Dunn and Adam Pringle and Thailand\u2019s Chaloempon Charoenkitamorn and Worrapol Thongsa-Nga.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For the Indian duo, however, the biggest attraction is the chance to experience a world championship in front of their home supporters. \u201cDefinitely, I think a lot of work has been done. It\u2019s quite busy here. I think the conditions are a lot better. I think everybody will definitely have a really good time experiencing the tournament here and really looking forward to this week,\u201d Chirag told reporters at the mixed zone ahead of the World Championships opener.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The pair, who are among India\u2019s strongest medal hopes, are refusing to view the expectations as additional pressure. \u201cI think it\u2019s another opportunity. Every year when we come here, we want to go all the way. Like this time too, it\u2019s on our home ground. We would want to go as deep into the tournament as possible. So there is no pressure,\u201d Chirag said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s an added advantage that we will have the support of the home crowd. And maybe one day in a pair\u2019s career, there is a World Championship on their ground, and they get a chance to play. I feel it\u2019s a privilege that we are able to play in our home country. We will make the most of it and enjoy it to the fullest,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Satwik echoed his partner\u2019s sentiments, stressing that playing in front of familiar supporters makes the occasion particularly special.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always special playing in front of a home crowd. It\u2019s not about being in India or playing here. Because when we started playing in the international tournament, we rarely got a chance to play,\u201d Satwik said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Satwik, who was suffering from a shoulder issue in the recent tournaments, said that he is fully fit for the tournament. \u201cRight now I am feeling good. I have practised here. So far all good,\u201d Satwik said when asked about his physical condition.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He admitted that the court conditions have varied across practice sessions, particularly with regard to drift, but insisted that it was nothing unusual for international badminton. \u201cTwo days of practice, two days are very different. All the courts are different. On one side there is no drift. In the morning when we started, there was no drift at all. Then again, after some time there was a drift,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think when the full conditions are on, it will stick to the same. We played yesterday; in the evening it was different. Then again today it was different. So I think it\u2019s okay,\u201d Satwik added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The duo enters the tournament after a difficult period. Satwik\u2019s recurring shoulder problem forced the duo to retire from their Japan Open first-round match in July, after which they withdrew from the China Open to focus on rehabilitation and regain full fitness ahead of the home World Championships.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think when the full conditions are on, it will stick to the same. We played yesterday; in the evening it was different. Then again today it was different. So I think it\u2019s okay,\u201d Satwik added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
'We had a break before the World Championship in India. It's quite challenging, but hopefully we will take the most out of this,' Satwik said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n