Some of the most popular faces of the circuit interacted with fans at a mall in Singapore today, triggering a buzz on the opening day of the Singapore Open 2019.

Kento Momota, Pusarla V Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth, Jonatan Christie and local hopeful Yeo Jia Min fielded questions from fans and posed with them for photographs in the atrium of a popular mall.

Asked by a fan how they motivated themselves after losses at tournaments, Pusarla said: “You have to believe in yourself. One goes through wins and losses, but don’t give up and keep trying until you succeed.”

Kidambi added that it was about “fighting until the end”. “Even if you lose you have to go back, work on it, and come back strong,” said the world No.7.

Momota said the support of people around him made it easier to come back strong after a defeat.

“Whenever I lose, obviously it is hard, but I must grow like that. I love badminton, and people are supporting me, so I tell myself I should never give up.”

Recent Malaysia Open champion Lin Dan was a common choice as the idol they all looked up to.

“For me it’s Lin Dan, I admire him for the way he keeps himself, the way he plays, the way he’s motivated,” said Kidambi.

His compatriot Pusarla concurred: “It’s the same with me, he’s achieved a lot, he’s a legend. For motivation and inspiration, there are a lot of people who have done well, there’s a lot to learn from everybody,” said Pusarla.

Christie said he looked up to Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei. “Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei have a lot of major achievements at the Olympics, the World Championships and the Asian Games. I hope someday I can also win like them.”

Momota’s inspiration, he revealed, came from all his competitors: “I respect all the players competing with me in top tournaments, I get inspiration from all of them, including Lin Dan.”

Yeo Jia Min named Kento Momota as her idol – for his calmness on court.

All the top contenders are in Singapore for the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 500 event.

Men’s singles defending champion Chou Tien Chen heads the bottom half of the draw. In his half are Chen Long, Jan O Jorgensen, and Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, while top seed Momota has the likes of Sai Praneeth, HS Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth, Viktor Axelsen and Lin Dan in his half.

Interestingly, Malaysia Open champion Lin Dan will face India Open winner Axelsen in the opening round.

Pusarla takes on Lyanny Alessandra Mainaky in her opening test, and either Mia Blichfeldt or Gregoria Mariska in the second.