Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen withdraws from Australian Open due to throat injection

Indian star shuttler Lakshya Sen has withdrawn from Australian Open Super 300 series after he suffered from throat infection. Sen picked up the injection just before the Hylo Open where he lost in the opening round and did not look himself as he bowed out against Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long Angus

The boy from Almora has returned to India and is currently taking full care of his health and hence he has withdrawn from the tournament Down Under which is scheduled from November 15 to 20 in Sydney. Sen has shared how he felt weak and throat pain and could not focus much on the technical side of things.

“I had fever, throat pain and weakness after I reached Saarbrucken ahead of Hylo Open. I probably picked the infection while travelling from Paris,” Sen, who returned to India on Saturday night, told PTI on Sunday.

He at the start felt it was something basic and tried to play through it but it got worse and he had to consult a doctor. While things are better now, he decided to take time out for recovery and not participate at the Australian Open.

“I thought it is not that serious. I was training last Sunday and then on Monday, I felt it had aggravated. I consulted a doctor online and took medicine. It is under control now. But given the situation, I have decided to pull out of the Australian Open,” the shuttler opened up.

Lakshya Sen thought about playing at the Australian Open due to his chances of qualifying for the World Tour Finals. But with this injury he decided to withdraw from the Australian Open his chances are also gone and hence he is looking to take some time out and then return to his off season training and comeback stronger than ever next season.

“I had sent my entries earlier as I thought it would help me to qualify for World Tour Finals but now it is not possible anymore, so it is better that I take some weeks off, get back to full fitness and start with my off season training to be ready for the next season,” the 21-year-old revealed.

It has been a tough few months for the young Indian shuttler who had to go under the knife after the World Championship due to a deviated septum. It was a condition which affected him for a long time and he had difficulty in breathing properly. So he decided to take a call after the busy schedule of the Commonwealth Games and the World Championships.