Indian ace Kidambi Srikanth said it was irritating to lose close quarterfinals in a title-less season and stressed on the need to get physically and mentally tougher to win medals at the World Championship and Olympic Games.
Srikanth, who had clinched four titles in 2017, lost nine quarterfinals and two semifinals while reaching the finals only once at the Commonwealth Games in the last 15 months.
"I think the series of quarterfinals are more irritating for me than losing in the first round," Srikanth told reporters on the eve of the India Open, starting here Tuesday.
"I think I have been consistent against a few players and then not able to get that win against a few others at quarterfinals and semifinals, that is what I'm working on -- to last the whole week.
"Probably, if I can do well in next 3-4 months before the World Championship. If I can get better physically and tougher mentally, I think I can do well at World Championship," he added.
Srikanth had suffered a leg injury at the 2017 Senior Nationals and ever since he has been troubled by small injury woes, especially related to his ankle, which affected his performance.
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"I'm working on my fitness, I had too many injuries in late 2017 and 2018 and so if I can keep working on my fitness then I will have a great chance to win titles," he said.
"That is what worked for me in 2017, because I could sustain an hour and half hour. But 2018 and early 2019, I had some injuries and withdrew from tournaments.
"I am okay now. I had an ankle injury after playing a series of events at Malaysia, Indonesia and PBL. I'm feeling good now and I have been able to train for three weeks and I feel confident."
"The new coaches are also helping us, though it has been just a month but the next 3-4 months will be challenging."