Tomokazu Harimoto and Hina Hayata favored in Chennai

Massimo Costantini, the Indian table tennis team's head coach, is optimistic about the upcoming WTT Star Contender event in Chennai. The tournament starts on Thursday, and Costantini has highlighted Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto and Hina Hayata as the top contenders in men's and women's singles, respectively. Costantini praised Harimoto, the reigning Asian champion, for his strong past performances against many top players. However, he warned that the competition would be tough, and Harimoto might face challenges. In the women’s category, Hayata is seen as a favorite, but Costantini noted that other strong players could potentially defeat her. He expressed hope that Indian players could reach at least the round of 16 or quarterfinals. Costantini pointed out that the top players in the tournament are used to winning, and this is an area where Indian players need to improve. He views the Chennai event as a valuable chance for Indian players to test themselves against higher-ranked opponents. Looking ahead, Costantini mentioned the upcoming World Championships in Doha, scheduled for May 17 to 25. He indicated that the final decision for which players will represent India is still pending and would be influenced by their performances in Chennai. Costantini also reflected on his coaching philosophy during this stint. He aims to build a cooperative team environment and has several important events on the horizon, including the Asian Team Championships and the mixed team World Cup. Finally, he shared his thoughts on the retirement of veteran player Sharath Kamal, praising his contributions to the team since 2009. Costantini emphasized that Kamal is more than just a player; he is a leader who brings comfort and unity to the team.