‘Stay Long’ is the mantra badminton players follow while grinding out a three-game thriller, and veteran Indian shuttler HS Prannoy is using that to navigate through a tough phase of his career. The 2023 World Championships medallist had a tough 2025 season, struggling with injuries and loss of form. However, during the tough times, the words of his long-time guru Pullela Gopichand have stayed with him. “He always says to stay long in the game. I have asked him if I should I just wrap it up? He always believes that things might be a little topsy-turvy at times in your career, but it’s important to stay in the fight because good things happen only when you are staying there,” Prannoy said after winning his first-round game at the India Open Super 750 on Wednesday. A last-minute entry to the tournament due to withdrawals, Prannoy defeated last edition’s runner-up Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong in straight games 22-20, 21-18. Going through a phase of self-doubt after his 2025 season, Prannoy said that he found …