Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen capped off a turbulent season with a resounding title win at the Australian Open 2025, defeating Japan’s Yushi Tanaka 21-15, 21-11 in a commanding 38-minute final in Sydney on Sunday.
The victory marks Sen’s first title of the 2025 BWF World Tour and earns him USD 475,000, making him only the second Indian player to win a BWF World Tour title this season after Ayush Shetty’s US Open triumph.
Sen, 23, displayed exceptional control, pace and shot precision throughout the final, overwhelming the world No. 26 Tanaka, who entered the tournament as one of the in-form players after winning Super 300 titles at the Orleans Masters and the US Open.
Lakshya began sharply, capitalising on Tanaka’s early errors to race to a 6-3 lead before extending the gap to 11-8 at the mid-game interval. He dominated the net, kept the rallies flat, and closed the first game 21-15 with ease.
The second game saw complete dominance from the Indian, who unleashed a series of powerful smashes and took a six-point lead at the interval. Tanaka struggled to contain the pace and precision as Sen sealed the match with a crisp cross-court return.
The Australian Open title adds to Sen’s growing list of international achievements, including his 2021 World Championships bronze, the Canada Open title in 2024, and the Syed Modi Super 300 win the same year.
Despite reaching the Hong Kong Super 500 final earlier this season, a combination of injuries and fluctuating form had made 2025 a challenging year for the shuttler.
Speaking after his win, Sen said he was relieved to finish the season strongly.
“I have seen a lot of ups and downs this season, with a few injuries at the start, but I kept my hard work going throughout the year. I am very happy to end the season on a good note,” he said.
He added that during the second game he resisted the temptation to think ahead.
“In the second set I was ahead, but I didn’t want to relax. I tried to focus on one point at a time. Getting a good start and keeping the momentum was important, and I’m really happy with the way I played today.”
Sen’s return to form has earned praise from across the badminton world, including Danish legend Peter Gade, who commended the Indian’s resilience.
“It’s great to see him back on the podium. We all know he has the potential for big things. It’s been up and down, but he kept fighting. This win will give him belief ahead of the major events coming up, especially the World Championships at home,” Gade told ANI.
The Danish great also spoke about India’s growing strength in badminton, saying the nation’s legacy—shaped by players like Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu and Prakash Padukone—continues to inspire the next generation.
“For me, it’s about having a strong base in the early years. If the base is strong, the players can aim for the highest level. They need to believe mentally,” he said.
With India set to host the upcoming World Championships, Gade said the home crowd could become a decisive advantage.
“It will be a big test, playing at home. I hope the players see it as an opportunity with support from the crowd and the media.”
Sen’s win in Sydney positions him as one of India’s biggest contenders heading into the next season and offers renewed confidence after an uneven year on the global circuit.