Australia, Nov 24 ; Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen’s Australia Open 2025 victory has drawn high praise from former India shuttler Parupalli Kashyap, who hailed the youngster’s steady rise and impressive consistency over recent months. Lakshya clinched the men’s singles title after a commanding 21-15, 21-11 win over Japan’s Yushi Tanaka in Sydney, securing his first crown on the 2025 BWF World Tour.
Kashyap, reacting to the triumph, credited Lakshya’s resilience and hard work following his return from injury.
“It’s an incredible win. It’s very good for him to get a win at the end of the season,” Kashyap told ANI.
“He’s been working very hard for a year, coming out of an injury. For the last 4–5 months, you can see a lot of consistency in his game. This win will motivate him for next year’s major events. He’s in very good form and I hope he continues.”
‘Bright future for Indian badminton’: Kashyap
Kashyap also expressed optimism about India’s prospects in the upcoming badminton cycle, noting the depth of emerging talent across categories.
“It’s a very bright future. We have a lot of talented players coming up — in mixed doubles, doubles, women’s singles and men’s singles. In 2–3 years, you’ll see a lot of good players. The future looks very bright for India,” he added.
Sen dominates Tanaka in 38-minute final
Lakshya took home USD 475,000 after winning the Super 500 event with a near-flawless performance. Facing Tanaka winner of two Super 300 titles this year — the Indian shuttler showcased sharp reflexes, superb control and precise placement to wrap up the final in just 38 minutes.
He started strong with a 6-3 lead, maintained pressure through aggressive net play, and sealed the first set 21-15. In the second set, Lakshya’s thunderous smashes and sustained momentum left Tanaka struggling, allowing the Indian to close out the match with ease.
Sen’s comeback season ends on a high
A 2021 World Championships bronze medallist, Lakshya has battled through a mixed season marked by near misses, including a runner-up finish at the Hong Kong Super 500. His Australian Open victory makes him only the second Indian shuttler to win a BWF World Tour title in 2025, after Ayush Shetty’s US Open triumph.
Lakshya, who previously won the Canada Open and Syed Modi International titles in 2024, ends the season on a strong note — a promising sign ahead of a packed 2026 calendar.