On the back of three tournament wins in India, Australia and China this year along with triumphs in team competitions at Uber Cup and Asian Games, Saina Nehwal feels that 2014 has been a ‘very good year’.
World No. 4 Saina dropped down the ranking pyramid in 2013 owing to injuries but climbed back up in the last 12 months.“Overall it has been a very good year. last year I had a toe fracture which hurt my chances in 2013. In badminton it is very important to be fit throughout and that wasn't present last year,” she said on Wednesday at the launch of her badminton academy in Greater Noida.
“This year, however, I started with better fitness and belief of doing well. Winning China Open Super Series (in November) was the highlight of my year as only Chinese players go on to win it.“Next year the focus would be on improving even more and then with Olympics in 2016 on the horizon, the results have to improve and that would be my goal.“Earlier, I was World No. 2 and then I dropped to No. 9 at the beginning of the year but now I'm back to No. 4 so it's not been easy but I will try to get even better,” she added.
In the city to announce launch of her badminton academy in collaboration with Gaursons, Saina highlighted the need for good coaches if India aims to progress in the sport.The academy in the sports complex is scheduled to start by November-December 2015.Time and time again, Saina has been stopped in multiple competitions throughout her career especially by players from China. When asked why the likes of China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Korea have a lot of good quality players at the top while India doesn't, Saina stated it is all about starting well early.
“Badminton is a big game in China, Malaysia, Indonesia etc. A huge population plays the sport, sometimes 30,000 people from a small village, and then coaches have the freedom to improve their skills and bring them up to the higher level. Here 10-15 players are doing well. So, it's not that we don't have the necessary interest but theirs is from an early age,” she said.Asked about her Christmas wish, Saina said, “Maybe spend more time with family but I like to stand on the podium and win for my country too,” she finished.