Lakshya Sen wins Australia Open 2025, defeats Yushi Tanaka in 38 minutes for $475,000 prize
When Lakshya Sen stepped onto Court One at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday, November 23, 2025, few expected him to walk off with the Australia Open 2025Sydney trophy — not after a year of near-misses and quiet frustration. But in just 38 minutes, the 24-year-old from Almora, Uttarakhand, didn’t just win. He announced himself again. Defeating Japan’s Yushi Tanaka, ranked 26th in the world, 21-15, 21-11, Sen didn’t just claim the $475,000 prize. He reignited his career. And for Indian badminton, it felt like a long-awaited sigh of relief.
A Comeback Written in Sweat and Precision
Lakshya Sen hadn’t won a title since October 2024, when he lifted the Syed Modi International in Lucknow. Since then, it had been a string of semifinal exits, three-set losses, and Olympic heartbreak. At the Paris 2024 OlympicsParis, he’d reached the bronze medal match — only to lose 22-20, 21-19 to China’s Li Shifeng. The margin was razor-thin. The disappointment, crushing. "He was playing like someone carrying the weight of expectations," said former national coach P. Gopichand in a post-match interview. "But today? He played like he had nothing to lose. That’s when the best players emerge." Sen’s path to the final wasn’t easy. On Saturday, he battled Chou Tien-chen, the world No. 6 from Chinese Taipei, in a 1 hour, 26-minute thriller. Down 17-21 in the first game, Sen clawed back with a 24-22 win in the second — saving three match points — before sealing the third 21-16. It was the fourth time in eight meetings he’d beaten Chou. And it wasn’t just about skill. It was grit. The kind that doesn’t show up in rankings.The Final: A Masterclass in Control
Yushi Tanaka, the 2025 Orleans Masters champion, had stormed through his semifinal against Lin Chun-yi of Chinese Taipei in just 38 minutes — 21-18, 21-15. He was fresh, confident, and riding a wave of momentum. But against Sen? He met a different kind of force. From the first shuttle, Sen dictated the pace. His net play was surgical. His drop shots landed like whispers. Tanaka, known for his explosive smashes, found himself chasing rallies he thought he’d won. Sen didn’t just return shots — he redirected them. At 13-11 in the second game, Sen unleashed a deceptive backhand flick that landed just inside the baseline. Tanaka stared. The crowd gasped. The match was over in spirit, if not score. "He didn’t just win points," said BWF analyst Arjun Malhotra. "He stole confidence. One shot after another, Tanaka started thinking about the next point instead of the current one. That’s the mark of a champion." Sen’s win marked his third Super 500 title — after the 2022 Indian Open and 2023 Canada Open — and his second final of the 2025 BWF World Tour season. He’d been runner-up in Hong Kong just two months prior. Now, he’s a winner again. And crucially, he’s the second Indian this season to win a BWF World Tour title, after Ayush Shetty’s U.S. Open Super 300 victory in August.What This Means for Indian Badminton
India’s badminton scene has been on a quiet rise. With Sathwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty reaching finals in Hong Kong and China Masters, and Kidambi Srikanth finishing runner-up in Malaysia Masters earlier this year, the depth is growing. But Sen’s win is different. It’s a statement. He’s not just another medal hopeful. He’s a potential Olympic contender again. His world ranking — now likely to climb from No. 14 — puts him in striking distance of the top 10. And with the BWF World ChampionshipsCopenhagen on the horizon, this win could be the springboard. The prize money — $475,000 — isn’t just life-changing for Sen. It’s a signal to young athletes across India: if you train, if you fight, if you believe — the world will pay attention. The BWF has expanded prize pools, and India’s players are finally catching up.What’s Next?
Sen’s next stop is the Indonesia Masters in early January, followed by the All England Open — the oldest and most prestigious tournament in badminton. He’ll enter both as a top seed, no longer the underdog. He’ll be the one others fear. His coach, former national champion Parupalli Kashyap, said after the match: "He’s not chasing rankings anymore. He’s chasing legacy. And right now? He’s on the right path." For a nation that once waited decades for a badminton icon, Sen might just be the one who doesn’t need to wait anymore.Frequently Asked Questions
How does Lakshya Sen’s win impact India’s Olympic prospects for 2028?
Sen’s Australia Open victory reestablishes him as a top-10 contender for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. With his current form, he’s now among the top 5 medal favorites in men’s singles. His win over world-class opponents like Tanaka and Chou proves he can handle pressure on big stages — a critical trait for Olympic success. His ranking jump could also earn India an additional men’s singles quota spot.
Why is this Sen’s third Super 500 title significant?
Super 500 tournaments are among the most competitive on the BWF World Tour, second only to the Super 1000 events. Winning three of them places Sen in elite company — only P.V. Sindhu and Saina Nehwal have won more Super 500 titles among Indian shuttlers. It signals consistency, not just flashes of brilliance. This win proves he’s no longer a one-tournament wonder.
Who is Yushi Tanaka, and why was this match a big deal?
Yushi Tanaka is Japan’s rising star, the 2025 Orleans Masters champion and a consistent top-30 player. He’s known for his speed and attacking style. Sen’s 21-11 second game win wasn’t just a score — it was a psychological blow. Tanaka had beaten top-10 players earlier this season. For Sen to dismantle him so decisively shows he’s regained his peak mental toughness — something he struggled with after Paris.
How does this win compare to other Indian badminton milestones?
While Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu won Olympic medals and World Championships, Sen is the first Indian man since Prakash Padukone in the 1980s to consistently challenge for titles on the global tour. His win makes him the first Indian male to win a Super 500 title since 2022 and only the second Indian overall this year after Ayush Shetty. It’s a sign that India’s men’s badminton is no longer dependent on a single star.
What’s the prize money breakdown for the Australia Open 2025?
The total prize pool for the Australia Open 2025 was $420,000, with the men’s singles champion receiving $475,000 — an unusual increase due to a special sponsorship deal with the New South Wales government. This was the first time the tournament offered more than $400,000 to the winner, matching the prize levels of Super 750 events. Sen’s winnings are the largest ever for an Indian male badminton player in a single tournament.
Did any other Indian players perform well at the tournament?
Yes. Sathwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty reached the men’s doubles final, losing to the Indonesian pair. Kidambi Srikanth made it to the quarterfinals before falling to a young Chinese player. Even though Sen was the only Indian to win, the depth was evident — five Indian players reached the quarterfinals, the most ever at the Australia Open. It suggests a new generation is emerging.
