Indian badminton fans were left disappointed once again as rising star Lakshya Sen suffered yet another early exit, this time at the prestigious French Open 2024. The 22-year-old shuttler's campaign in Paris ended abruptly with a first-round defeat against Vietnam's seasoned campaigner Nguyen Tien Minh.
Another Early Exit for Struggling Sen
The match, which lasted 47 minutes, saw Sen put up a fight but ultimately fall short against the experienced Vietnamese player. The final scoreline of 21-17, 17-21, 21-16 in favor of Nguyen highlights the closely contested nature of the encounter, though the result adds to Sen's growing concerns this season.
This marks the 11th first-round exit for the Indian shuttler in the current competitive season, raising serious questions about his form and consistency at the highest level of international badminton.
Season of Struggle Continues
Lakshya Sen, once considered India's brightest prospect in men's singles badminton, has been experiencing a dramatic dip in form throughout the 2023-24 season. The French Open disappointment comes as another blow to his confidence and ranking points.
"This has been one of the most challenging phases of my career," Sen had mentioned in a recent interview. "Every athlete goes through rough patches, and I'm working hard to overcome this."
What's Next for the Indian Shuttler?
With the Paris Olympics looming on the horizon, Sen's consistent early exits pose a significant threat to his qualification chances and preparation. The badminton community is eagerly waiting to see how the young athlete regains his winning momentum.
Experts suggest that Sen might need to reconsider his training regimen and tournament schedule to break this disappointing pattern of results. The coming weeks will be crucial for his Olympic dreams and career trajectory.
