NEW DELHI: India Open Super Series champion Kidambi Srikanth today said he doesn't feel the fear of losing and that mindset has helped him in his blossoming career.
After winning the Swiss Grand Prix Gold earlier this month, Srikanth today clinched his maiden India Open title, edging out world No. 6 Viktor Axelsen 18-21 21-13 21-12 in the final.
Asked if he ever feels fear of losing, Srikanth said: "I don't actually. I don't think about winning all the time. I just want to play my best and that is the reason I don't feel fear."
He has been touted as the next potential world number one by former national coach Vimal Kumar and Srikanth said the numero uno status is in his mind and he hopes to achieve that in the near future.
"I always had that thing (number one ranking) in my mind. It is good to be on top of the world. I don't get to one after this victory but if I keep continue playing well then one day definitely I will be there ," said the Guntur born player, who won his first title at 2013 Thailand Grand Prix Gold.
"Every win is important to me, every win motivates me, every win gives me the confidence to perform well in the next tournament."
World No. 4 Srikanth is likely to rise further in the rankings next Thursday, following is exploits at the Siri Fort Complex.
Talking about the final, Srikanth said: "I didn't play my best in the first game so I was disappointed. I was down 20-13 or something and then I got few points which made me think that there is another game that I can play.
"In the second game, I started well and I got the confidence and in the third I don't know, he was leading till 11 and then it became 12-12. I continuously kept the pressure on and didn't play any simple strokes at that time," he said.
The 22-year-old had beaten Viktor at the Swiss Open final as well