New Delhi, Aug. 23 -- Over the last decade, badminton has transformed from primarily a game of finesse, deception and tactics into a gruelling test of endurance, power and aggression. No longer are matches about delicate drops as shuttlers push the absolute limits of human physicality.

The physical demands have skyrocketed. Players are moving faster, hitting harder, and retrieving shots that 10 years ago would have been clean winners. The margin for error has narrowed, and athletic requirement to compete has zoomed.

Malaysia women's doubles shuttler Thinaah Muralitharan says the nature of rallies has shifted. "Players are much more aggressive now, their gameplay is a lot different from earlier," the world No.5 said.

In the previous era...