In the high-stakes world of badminton, it turns out that physical agility and technical skill only form part of the winning equation. Talking to some of the world’s top-class players, we found out why mental strength, meditation, and mindfulness can have a significant bearing on a player’s performance and ultimately, match chances.
Physical prowess and skill will get you far in badminton, but according to top players, it’s the strength of mind that holds all the power in the decisive moments of a match. Several players have found that mental strength can be the game-changer, especially in highly competitive matches where the players’ technical skills and physical capabilities are evenly matched.
Take the case of Mads Christophersen. He remembers standing on the court, taking a slow breath, and staring at his shoe before serving the shuttle. This became a pattern throughout the tournament until Christophersen reached the finals. Surprisingly, what Christophersen couldn’t recall were the rallies he played during the tournament. According to him, being one in the moment helped him to stop overanalyzing every shot, enabling him to view the bigger picture that he had been missing in previous matches.
Christophersen believes that he found a unique, albeit simple, solution to his dilemma—looking at his shoe. This simple act allowed him to stay present and avoid over-thinking, leading him to his best ever tournament result. He explained that being in the zone is vital to professional badminton players and that mental training is as crucial as physical training.
Over in Britain, player Gregory Mairs shares Christophersen’s perspective. As an experienced player and host of the popular YouTube channel “Badminton Insight,” Mairs provides his followers with tutorials on badminton footwork, stretching, and shots. However, Mairs admits that one area the channel hasn’t explored in-depth is mental strength—not because it’s less important, but because it’s challenging to measure progress, and this can be disheartening.
In the US, badminton player Allison Lee reinforced that when the score stands at 20-all, it’s the players’ mental strength that drives them forward. Mental strength can make the difference and ultimately shift the outcome of the match under these high-pressure situations.
Meditation also plays a crucial role in maintaining players’ mental strength in badminton. Indian superstar PV Sindhu said she uses meditation to manage the pressures she’s facing and keep herself calm. For top Dane player Christophersen, he uses meditation to remain focused and help him train his mind to stay in the present moment during games. This focused state helps him stay ‘in the zone,’ enhancing his performance and winning games. He realized the power of these sessions during the Orleans tournament, remembering the rallies made by his opponents made him mentally exhausted. By focusing in the present moment, he was able to conserve his mental energy, enhancing his performance in subsequent matches.
Aside from meditation, Christophersen stressed that being mindful of one’s breathing is also essential. In a match, rapid breathing can induce adrenaline, leading to added pressure and stress whereas slow breathing can yield a calming effect. These changes in his breathing patterns played a big role in getting him focused and keeping him in the moment during a match.
Lastly, the benefits of mental strength don’t just stop at the court. Gregory Mairs observed how his students became more confident by managing their nerves during badminton tournaments. Competing in front of a crowd helps them build their confidence, which is useful in many life situations such as presenting in front of a class at University or during a job interview.
In a nutshell, the role of mental strength in the game of badminton is as crucial as one’s physical prowess. After all, being in the moment, focusing, and keeping calm can be the key to cracking under pressure or striking the winning shuttle.
