With US Open title, Ayush Shetty announces himself as Indian badminton's next big star

This was India’s first BWF World Tour title in 2025.

At just 20, Ayush Shetty announced himself in style, clinching his first BWF World Tour title at the 2025 US Open Super 300. With this win, Ayush gave India its first World Tour title of the year—and broke a year-long wait for a title outside the country.

The last time an Indian stood on top of the podium overseas was back in May 2024, when Satwik and Chirag won the Thailand Open. In only his second Tour-level final, he powered past Canada’s Brian Yang 21-18, 21-13, capping off a breakthrough week in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

In the semi-finals, Shetty stunned top seed and World No. #6 Chou Tien Chen in a thrilling comeback —21–23, 21–15, 21–14. After letting slip a 19–14 lead to lose the opening game 21–23, he came back with smarter choices and sharper execution. His steep smashes began to punch through Chou’s defense, while tight net dribbles and disguised drops forced openings.

In the second game, he controlled the game with deep clears and angled pushes that pinned Chou to the backcourt. By the decider, Ayush was dictating rallies by mixing up pace, hitting with precision, and finishing with authority.

Also Read: US Open 2025: Ayush Shetty wins maiden BWF title; Tanvi Sharma falls short in final hurdle

Building a Breakthrough

This wasn’t a sudden rise. The signs were there for anyone paying attention. Just a few weeks earlier, he made the semi-finals at the Taipei Open. That followed another semi-final run at the Orleans Masters in France, back in March.

Orleans was where things started shifting. In a draw packed with India’s elite shuttlers HS Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth, Priyanshu Rajawat, but by the end of the week, it was the 19-year-old from Karnataka who had gone the deepest.

He started by upsetting former world champion Loh Kean Yew in the opening round, and followed it up with a statement win over Jason Gunawan—someone who had beaten him twice before. But it was the quarter-final against Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke that revealed what Shetty was really made of

He blew two match points in the second game. Most would’ve folded. Ayush didn’t. He reset, battled through the nerves, and closed it out in the third—after 81 minutes of relentless, mature badminton.

In the semi-finals, he went down to world No. #14 Lin Chun Yi in straight games, but not before showing flashes of brilliance—sharp net play, fearless attack, and smart court coverage. The result may have read 13-21, 15-21, but the impression he left was far bigger than the scoreline.

Then came Taipei.

At the Taipei Open in May, Ayush was at it again. His first two matches were sharp and efficient, but it was the round of 16 where he really turned heads—beating Srikanth in straight games. Calm, composed, and completely in control. In the quarters, he faced Canada’s Brian Yang. Lost the first game. Shrugged it off. And came storming back to win in three.

Another semi-final. Another step forward. This time, he met Chou Tien Chen—playing on home soil, backed by a full stadium. Ayush didn’t win, but once again, he didn’t look out of place. He left with a bronze finish, but more importantly, with back-to-back performances that proved he could go deep on the world stage.

Built for the Now

Shetty’s game is tailor-made for modern badminton. At 6’4”, he naturally covers the court in fewer steps, dominates the net with his wingspan, and generates explosive power on his smashes. But what stands out even more is how he plays the game in his head.

He’s not just reacting—he’s reading. He adjusts. He learns mid-rally. There’s a quiet maturity in the way he doesn’t chase points, but builds them. And when the pressure kicks in, he simplifies instead of scrambling.

He has a calm, problem-solving brain. He’s not afraid to rally. And definitely not afraid to go for his shots when the moment calls.

Also Read: Top five Indian badminton players with most BWF World Tour titles

The Road Ahead

No one becomes the face of Indian badminton overnight. It takes more than one good week. It takes consistency, the ability to hold your own on different continents, and the hunger to keep learning—even after wins.

But Ayush has started ticking those boxes.

He’s made three semi-final runs at Super 300s this season. He’s beaten top-10 players. He’s lifted a trophy. And more importantly, he’s beginning to look comfortable among the world’s best.

So, can Ayush Shetty become the next big name in Indian badminton?

At this point, it’s not about belief. It’s about watching him prove it—match after match, quietly, confidently, one smash at a time.

And the next chapter? It’s already begun.

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