Kidambi Srikanth revealed his plan, wants to achieve this in the 2025 season

Former world number 1 and World Championship silver medalist Kidambi Srikanth shared his plans for the 2025 season, saying that his goal is to return to the top 25 in the rankings and his focus is on performing well in the upcoming tournaments.

Srikanth did not have a good last season. He didn't even qualify for the Olympics last year. During 14 tournaments in 2024, he lost in the first round of six events and lost to BWF competition in the second round of three events. Married stylist Shravya Verma in Hyderabad last November.

Srikanth, currently ranked 45th in the world rankings, said, "In 2025 (my goal) will definitely be to be back in at least the top 20-25 (in the rankings) again and then try to win tournaments and do my best."

The 2025 season did not start well for the former world No. 1. He had to exit in the first round of the India Open, a Super 750 event, as he got a late entry into the main draw due to the withdrawal of top seed Shi Yuqi of China and eighth seed Anthony Ginting of Indonesia.

However, at the Indonesia Masters, which began on Tuesday, Srikanth suffered a straight-game defeat to fellow Indian Ayush Shetty in the qualification round and failed to make it to the main draw.

Recently BAI has appointed Malaysian doubles specialist Tan Kim Herr to work with the national team. But in men's singles, in the last three years, top Indian names like Parupalli Kashyap and RMV Gurusaidutt have moved into full-time coaching, guiding top men's singles players like HS Prannoy, Srikanth and Priyanshu Rajawat.

Talking about how beneficial it is to have foreign coaches in the national setup, Srikanth said, "There is no foreign coach for men's singles as of now. Only one coach has come, Tan Kim Herr for doubles, but if a foreign coach comes for men's singles and if he is placed at the national center in Hyderabad then I think it will help a lot of players. So, we have to wait and see when it happens."

Recently a leading global sports brand Hundred announced its partnership with Padma Shri awardee Kidambi. Srikanth's association with Hundred is an important step in the brand's mission to strengthen its presence in the Indian badminton market. The partnership officially launched at the prestigious Indonesia Masters 2025, reflecting Hundred’s commitment to inspire and empower the next generation of badminton enthusiasts.