India's Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty retire from Japan Open due to shoulder injury

India’s top men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, withdrew from their Japan Open 2026 opening match after a shoulder problem forced Rankireddy to retire midway. The duo had lost the first game 21‑19 to Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard before pulling out.

The injury, which also caused them to miss the Indonesia Open and will keep them out of the upcoming China Open, follows a recent resurgence that saw them end a two‑year title drought with a Singapore Open win. Coach Tan Kim Her said the pair will focus on rehabilitation ahead of the home World Cup Championships in August. Other Indian shuttlers, including PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen, continued their campaigns at the tournament.