Two Years Down, a Lifetime to go – Sikki & Sumeeth Talk About Two Years of Married Life

Sweating it out on their respective courts at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, it would hardly look like one of India’s top badminton pair Sikki Reddy and B Sumeeth Reddy are celebrating their second wedding anniversary. In the midst of a grueling training regime under the new coach Mathias Boe, an upcoming European circuit travel, and of course this being an Olympic year following the corona virus pandemic – there is hardly time for the two of them to plan an elaborate celebration.

As the two of them step aside for a quick chat with GoBadminton, it’s unmistakable that the two of them together are a hoot and half.

“We are both very fun loving, and don’t take things too seriously, Sumeeth is especially chilled out and that helps a lot,” underlines Sikki, highlighting how both are different from each other but are a perfect foil for one another.

Being at the pinnacle of a global sport with varying schedules, training regimes, demands of success, and so much going around – it’s rather hard on a young, married couple and yet Sikki & Sumeeth have managed to put together a template for any young couple – be it in a relationship or even if married and working hard to succeed in their respective careers.

“It is about respect and space!” says Sumeeth, who is all too happy to let his more social & effervescing better half take all of the limelight while he’s very much happy being in the shadows. But make no mistake, there’s hardly anyone else rooting as hard as he is for Sikki, and she knows it.

“We are not the typical couple always wanting to be together and always doing things together. Instead, we have the maximum fun when we find time together, and then get on with our own training & tournament schedules as per the demands of the calendar,” explains Sikki.

The two of them recently took a week off from training and spent a week in Dubai, as they made their way back from Bangkok.

“Actually, we hadn’t been anywhere since the wedding, and all of last year were stuck indoors with the pandemic. Also, Bangkok being the first tournament since the lockdown was a little more stressful than otherwise. So, at the first opportunity available we thought we’ll get outdoors and have some fun,” recalls Sumeeth.

“It was really great actually, and we made the most of our time in the sun, but now it’s back to badminton, training, and putting the focus back onto the Olympic qualification,” adds Sikki.

Ask them about any special anniversary plans, and both of them chuckle. Sikki will be hitting the gym, while Sumeeth also has his session planned out for him.