Source:REUTERS/
[Saba Sports News] Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen advanced to the first round of the Malaysia Open and was photographed by the media repeatedly adjusting his shoelaces in the player tunnel. During a subsequent media interview, he explained why he does this—it’s a small habit of his. He stated, ‘This is my lucky ritual; I feel uncomfortable if I don’t do it.’ Through this controllable little habit, he combats the uncertainty and tension of competition.
He even joked that ‘shoelaces are more important than rackets.’ Although said in jest, it highlights the central role this ritual plays in his mental preparation.
I believe that such personalized rituals not only make athletes more recognizable but also become part of their individual competitive style. For the audience, it’s not just an interesting detail on the court; it also reveals the comprehensive efforts top athletes put in behind their impressive achievements, involving both technical and physical refinement as well as careful attention to their mental state.