Saina Nehwal said she was happy to be back in the winning zone and hoped to do better in Rio than she did in London.
Speaking to the media at her residence on coming back after winning her second Australian Open singles title, the champion shuttler felt the confidence was back and the victory Down Under was very important in the run-up to the Olympics. “This win was significant as I was coming back from a dangerous injury,” she said.
“Yes, there was a feeling of disappointment with the string of losses. I was the World No. 1 at the start of the year, and now slipped to No. 8. Making it to the semis and quarters was not good enough. In that backdrop, the Sydney triumph is a major morale-booster ahead of the Olympics.
“The victory was all the more sweet as I could beat Ratchanok, Wang Yihan and Sun in the knock-out phase. It was the kind of experience which is badly needed as we will be playing in the Olympics,” the London Olympics bronze medallist said.
“I am aware that I need to be tactically better against these kinds of world-class players. Right from my childhood I was never talented, but worked really hard,” Saina said. “Vimal sir will be working on those half-smashes, close drops; touching-up some of the finer aspects to be a much better player in the Olympics,” Saina said.
“The best part is my team, comprising Vimal Sir, Rana and physio besides my parents, is very positive. This helps you stay in the best frame of mind. That is why even if I lose in the first round of a major, I will go back to work harder and try to minimise errors which often cost you the match,” she explained.
Speaking on the Rio Games, Saina said“All I can say is that I will go there and give my best. Till the Olympics, I will only be training and focusing on fine-tuning the game. I would love to be there in the Olympic Village six days before the competition, but it again depends on my finding a suitable sparring partner,” Saina explained.
On her game, the two-time Australian Open champion said she wanted to be more aggressive and faster. “I saw the match between Carolina and Wang, and they played so fast in Indonesian Open. I just wanted to play like that and I am glad that I can do so soon in Sydney,” she said.
A smiling Saina dimissed suggestions that she was disappointed at not being the torch-bearer for the coming Olympics. “No, no. Not at all. I have great respect for Abhinav (Bindra) sir. He is an Olympic gold medallist,” she said.
