Lakshya Sen can be fragile. Lakshya Sen can be fabulous. Both are accurate, and on some days, they coexist in the same match.

India’s top men’s singles shuttler was in top shape at the All England. But subsequently, eight first-round exits, a loss to an out-of-Top-100 opponent at the World Championships, and coasting past World No.6 Jonatan Christie on Sunday, the inconsistent enigma has finally won a Super 500 title. On his best days like when in Germany on Sunday, he is left explaining his worst moments.

“There were niggles, injury issues, nothing major to miss out on big events, but…,” he proffers, “some matches I wasn’t 100 percent.” He reiterates the intangibles – he needs to listen to his body, feel confident, not rush and play every event. For outside that indestructible, nonchalant mind is a fragile body that’s always one big injury away from threatening his career.

“Not everyone understands Lakshya’s problem, even the media and his fans,” father DK Sen laments.…