Rio Olympics champion Carolina Marin looks to ‘home crowd’ support as she leads Hyderabad Hunters’s challenge against Chennai Smashers, that includes silver medallist P.V. Sindhu, in the Premier Badminton League (PBL) commencing at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium here from January 1.
The Spaniard, speaking after the official launch of the next edition of the PBL in the company of Sindhu and other stars, reminded that the intensity may not be the same as it was at Rio but it should be a very good match.
“In the year of Olympics, where everyone gives more than 100 per cent, it can’t be the same after the Games. You cannot expect the same in these events. And, moreover, I am coming back after an injury break but I am definitely looking ahead to the big game,” she remarked.
“We will have to do things differently here and the 11-point format should be fast and exciting,” she said.
“To beat any top player consistently you have to be at your best and Sindhu is no exception.We are going to have this rivalry of sorts which should please the fans too,” Marin said to a query.
She hoped that there would be no resurgence of the great Chinese dominance. “Yes, me and the likes of Saina have ensured that China suffered some setbacks in the big league. But again, it is not just about China but other countries too making it big in the sport and this is really good for the promotion of the game itself,” Marin commented.
Sindhu too felt it should be a wonderful game against the Olympic champion. The Hyderabad girl felt that not playing in Chennai in front of the ‘home crowd’ should not be a big issue given the fact that they didn’t play the last edition at home. “I hope there would be some fans here to cheer us up. We have a very strong team and should be a strong contender,” Sindhu pointed out.
“There is no question that we have to be on our toes in each contest in this format.
“This exciting format which should do a world of good to the players, especially young talent. Even the fans can have a real feast as the big guns will be here for the first round before moving to other major cities,” said Sindhu.
