PM Narendra Modi, Sachin Tendulkar and others praise Lakshya Sen for reaching All England Championships final

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed shuttler Lakshya Sen for putting up a spirited fight after he lost the final of the All England Championships, and expressed confidence that he would keep scaling new heights of success. Sen's dream run at the All England Championships ended with a heartbreaking straight-game loss against world number one and Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen in the men's singles final on Sunday, continuing India's 21-year-long agonising wait for the coveted trophy.

"Proud of you @lakshya_sen! You've shown remarkable grit and tenacity. You put up a spirited fight. Best wishes for your future endeavours," Modi tweeted. "I am confident you will keep scaling new heights of success," the prime minister said.

Proud of you @lakshya_sen! You’ve shown remarkable grit and tenacity. You put up a spirited fight. Best wishes for your future endeavours. I am confident you will keep scaling new heights of success. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 20, 2022

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also hailed Sen's performance. "You are second to none, @lakshya_sen. You have won a billion hearts. Congratulations for a wonderful performance. You have done India proud! My best wishes for your future endeavours," Gandhi tweeted.

You are second to none, @lakshya_sen. You have won a billion hearts.

Congratulations for a wonderful performance. You have done India proud!

My best wishes for your future endeavours. pic.twitter.com/SgPhNtLPZg

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 20, 2022

India's cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar said Lakshya made 'every Indian proud'. "You've made every Indian incredibly proud by reaching the All-England Final, Lakshya Sen. We shall all be cheering for you tonight!" the master blaster tweeted.

You've made every Indian incredibly proud by reaching the All-England Final, Lakshya Sen.

We shall all be cheering for you tonight! #AllEngland2022 pic.twitter.com/Pow6jiwxVp — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 20, 2022

Chairman of the Mahindra group, Anand Mahindra said this, "Viktor’s Imperious as a King perhaps, but @lakshya_sen is a Prince who will be crowned sooner or later…Bravo Lakshya, you made us all proud getting to the final of the world’s oldest badminton tournament…" he tweeted.

Viktor’s Imperious as a King perhaps, but @lakshya_sen is a Prince who will be crowned sooner or later…Bravo Lakshya, you made us all proud getting to the final of the world’s oldest badminton tournament… https://t.co/AqEZg5Lm7i — anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) March 20, 2022

After four days of sensational badminton, the 20-year-old Sen faltered on the cusp of history as he committed too many errors to go down 10-21 15-21 to former champion Axelsen in the summit clash.