His first domestic tournament in almost a year might just be the tonic the doctor ordered to regain his confidence as India’s No 1 player. “I took a break and trained two weeks prior to the event but I couldn’t give it my 100 per cent. Also despite my fitness levels being all right, I was unable to finish matches at crucial stages. And that’s something I need to work hard on,” he says.

The Tata Open sees a strong draw in the men’s singles — with Anup Sridhar the sole top-rung withdrawal — but there is no dearth of youngsters aiming to be the upstarts. Local lads Anand Pawar and Ajay Jayram, the gritty P Kashyap and the indefatigable Guru Sai Dutt are a worthy second-rungs to defending champion Aravind Bhat and Anand in a draw-list comparable to a senior nationals tournament.

‘Not easy’

Anand’s top-seed debut in Mumbai won’t be a cakewalk. “I’ve been training and am looking forward to it,” says the 29-year-old, though he admits he’s not in top shape after the Asian tour, but will work over the coming month.

For Bhat — the reigning champion — though currently struggling with form after the Asian tour, Mumbai could bring back some luck and pluck. “I’m aiming for the title but the draw gets tough right from the second round and a quarter-final match with Guru Sai Dutt will be interesting. A win will be important for confidence,” Bhat says.