Noida: A nine-month title draught notwithstanding, Saina Nehwal on Friday vowed to bounce back strongly at next month’s world championship and said the much-needed six-week break after the Southeast Asian circuit will give her ample time to regain fitness and help her to win titles once again.
The world number three has been going through a lean patch for the last nine months as she has failed to win a single tournament.
In the last three tournaments — Thailand Open, Indonesia Open and Singapore Open — Saina had failed to go beyond the semifinals, but it doesn’t seem to concern her much as she believes she can still win titles.
“It doesn’t concern me that much because I know if I’m at my best I can win again. I was not happy with what was happening with me. Some small injuries can irritate you. You can’t be at your best when you are injured. When you are tapping your knee. There were doubts in my mind,” Saina told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of IBL’s school program initiative — shuttle express here.
“These were doubts like if I can train, if I can give 100 per cent. So good that I’m taking physiotherapy now. I’m taking good note and not thinking about what happened and giving my best again.
“I actually played just for a week before the three tournaments. Still I reached semis and quarters, and I also could not believe that I can play at this level, I can compete against these top players without even training. I was not fit enough.
“I got this six weeks break after a long time. I was not happy with my fitness. I needed that break but when I got that break (after India Open) my toe got fractured. At the starting of the year, I also had a knee injury but now I am okay and hopefully should come up with good performance in the World championship,” she added.
The Olympic bronze medallist was also excited about the Indian Badminton League, starting from August 14-31.
“This is a great initiative by IBL to promote the sport. Everyone was playing well today. It’s good to see interest growing in badminton, even in school there is improvement. We wanted these things to happen. I can see sporting facilities here, these things should happen in all school across India,” said Saina.
Saina felt IBL will give a good platform for senior and junior players to showcase their talent. (PTI)