2012 london Olympics mixed doubles badminton bronze medallist JOACHIM FISCHER NIElSEN is currently playing at the ongoing India Open and has reached the final of the mixed doubles with partner Christinna Pedersen. The Danish world number four pair has won 9 Super Series and will play their 18th Super Series final today. The 36-year-old talks to Abhishek Purohit about his game, future, Indian badminton and much more in an exclusive interview
During the semifinal match of the India Open against Zhang Nan and Yunlei Zhao, you and Christinna Pedersen lost the first game but managed to win the match. So what worked in your favourIJ
We were too slow at the start in the first game while the Chinese were stronger right from the beginning. I think that’s the reason why we were down in the first game. In the second game, we played with more power and energy to pull things back. We scored some winners regularly to take a lead and I think the 11-4 gap won the game for us. We are happy to win against the Chinese.
As a pair, you have a decent record against the Chinese. Was it a matter of confidence going into the matchIJ
Yes, it gave us confidence but they were the number one seeded pair as well as the Olympics gold medallists. We had lost to them in the 2012 Games semifinal. They were the fastest among the pairs we have played so far in the tournament. It is great that today we managed to beat them. We are now leading them 9-8. Practicing hard all the time is probably the secret behind that record.
You are now 36 and not getting any younger. For how many more years do you wish to playIJ
May be this is my last season and hopefully I finish on the winning note tomorrow. After this I will compete at the European championships in April-end. But my main target is the world Championships in four to five months time in Denmark. After that I will think and plan about the 2016 Rio Olympics. May be I will come for the second edition of Indian Badminton league (IBl). As far as the Thomas and Uber Cup is concerned, I am not a men’s doubles player but the Danish national coach wants me to pair up with someone. So, I will return to Delhi.
After the retirement of Peter Gade, you have become the eldest statesman of Danish badminton. How do you see that roleIJ
It’s very difficult to take over from Peter Gade, who is the greatest legend in Denmark. Now, after his retirement, young players come to me and seek advice and I try my best to pass on as much knowledge as I can. One day somebody else will have to take over from me.
What do you make of the Danish players’ performances at the ongoing India OpenIJ
All the players put up strong performances. All the Danish players like to come here because the atmosphere is quite nice and people are nice to us. We are now getting used to the Indian food, although it is spicy. We get good support here. In all the categories, our players qualified for the quarter-finals stage. Jan O Jorgensen played in the semis so it’s a very good performance from the Danish contingent. Jorgensen is doing well and he is world number five at the moment but he is consistently improving.
You may be aware that Indian singles players have been doing well but the doubles and mixed doubles sides have not been that successful. What could be the reason for thisIJ
I think in India, you don’t know how to develop a strong doubles or mixed doubles player. I feel that is why you are not good enough. In Denmark, we have a long history of producing both doubles and mixed doubles players and we know how to gpo about doing that. This issue is related to the mindset as well. You have to constantly read the game and that is how you develop a sport.
How will you sum up your career so farIJ
Christinna and I have made it into 17 Super Series finals and won 10 of them. With world championships bronze and Olympics bronze, I can be proud of my career. But right now I don’t need to be proud as I still have some tournaments to win and probably after my career gets over, I can enjoy the victories.
Do you have any post-retirement plansIJ
When I will stop playing, I will have to do a job. (laughs) May be I will come to India and coach the Indian doubles’ team because they need some help!