For Rounak Chouhan, 2025 marked a significant turning point in his badminton journey.
A strong run through the international circuit, highlighted by an international title and a semi-final appearance at the Odisha Masters, underlined a season where progress was not only visible on the scoreboard but also in the way he approached matches mentally and physically.
Speaking during a candid conversation after the tournament, Chouhan reflected on the changes that have shaped his recent performances, the value of structured support systems, and the lessons he continues to learn while transitioning from junior success to the demanding senior circuit.
Mental Strength Over Technical Change
When asked what had changed most in his game compared to 2024, Chouhan did not hesitate in pointing towards his mindset rather than technique.
“I have improved a lot on my mental health and patience,” he said. “Earlier, my patience was really bad.”
At higher levels of international badminton, where rallies often stretch beyond 20 strokes and opponents wait for the smallest opening, impatience can be costly. Chouhan acknowledged that learning to stay composed, especially in long exchanges, has been central to his growth over the past year. Alongside this mental work, he also highlighted increased gym training as a key factor. Better physical conditioning, he believes, has helped him sustain intensity deep into matches and remain competitive across three games.
Chouhan’s international title win brought with it new expectations, particularly when he returned to the circuit as a defending champion. He admitted that the first breakthrough itself came under extreme pressure.
“The first time I won, it was unexpected,” he recalled. “I was down 13–20 and came back to win 21–20. That match was very difficult mentally.”
Returning the following year, however, demanded a different approach. Rather than focusing on defending a title, Chouhan consciously chose to take a match-by-match mindset. “I didn’t think much about rankings or defending,” he said. “I just focused on my own match.” Even so, the pressure resurfaced before the final, especially with the thought of winning back-to-back titles. But experience helped him manage those thoughts better, reinforcing his belief that mental control often decides close matches.
Learning Through Preparation and Peer Input
At the Odisha Masters, Chouhan faced Jason Gunawan who had already been beaten in the previous weeks tournament by fellow Indian shuttler Sanskar. Instead of approaching the match in isolation, Chouhan sought insights beforehand.
“I spoke to Sanskar,” he said. “He told me that if you want to win, you have to attack a lot.”
The advice was specific. The opponent, according to Chouhan, was extremely solid defensively, with accurate smashes and well-disguised drops. Allowing him time to settle would only make the task harder. Attacking early and avoiding unnecessary lifts became the core of Chouhan’s game plan. That preparation proved crucial, especially when encouragement from the stands reinforced the tactical approach during key phases of the match.
Chouhan has been part of the Reliance Foundation high-performance setup, and he credits the programme for providing stability and structure to his career.
“The support is great,” he said. “Physio, manager, psychologist, nutritionist everyone is there.” “I’m really grateful to be part of the Reliance Foundation,” he added.
Having access to such a multidisciplinary support team has allowed Chouhan to focus fully on performance rather than logistics. He described the system as responsive and athlete-centric, with help always just a phone call away.
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Despite playing over 15 international tournaments in a single year, Chouhan remains realistic about the gap between junior and senior badminton.
“I don’t think the skill level difference is very big,” he explained. “The main difference is mental strength.”
Senior players, according to Chouhan, are able to sustain long rallies consistently across three games without making unforced errors a level of discipline that juniors must learn over time. To bridge that gap, he believes exposure is essential: playing more senior tournaments, training alongside experienced players, and gaining match awareness through repetition.
“I need more experience,” he said. “That helps you understand what you need to train and how to approach different opponents.”
Chouhan’s journey into badminton began at home. His sister was the first to take up the sport, and watching her play sparked his own interest. “After seeing her, I also wanted to play,” he recalled.
Initially, badminton was just an evening activity. It was only after the lockdown that Chouhan began pursuing the sport professionally, shifting from casual sessions to structured, high-volume training.
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When asked about players he looks up to, Chouhan mentioned Chinese shuttler Lin Dan, admiring his consistency and all-round game. While he has not yet had the opportunity to meet him, Chouhan hopes that continued progress on the international circuit may one day make that possible.
Matches That Stay in the Mind. Like most competitive athletes, Chouhan carries memories of matches he wishes he could replay. One semi-final loss against Kiran George, in particular, remains vivid.
“It was very close,” he said. “I think if I play that match again, I can win it.”
The match, he believes, taught him valuable lessons about handling pressure moments lessons that now inform his approach in tight situations.
Managing Pressure Against Senior Players
When leading against more experienced opponents, especially in deciding games, Chouhan believes patience is often the smartest option. “If you’re leading 17–10, you already have a big advantage,” he explained. “You should make them play rallies and force mistakes.” While attacking play has its place, Chouhan now prefers rally control when protecting a lead, reflecting his growing tactical maturity.
Planning, Adaptability, and Game Intervals. Chouhan enters every match with a clear plan but remains flexible. “I have a plan before the match,” he said. “If it’s not working, then I listen to my coach and make changes.”
Studying opponents beforehand and adapting during intervals has become a key part of his competitive routine.
Looking to the next two to three years, Chouhan’s ambitions are clear. “I want to reach the top 50 or top 60 in the world,” he said. “And I want to represent my country at the Olympics.”
With improved mental discipline, strong institutional support, and a growing understanding of the demands of senior badminton, Rounak Chouhan appears to be building steadily towards those goals one tournament, one match, and one rally at a time.
