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Focus is Olympics

DNMUM247667 | 6/20/2012 | Author : G Krishnan | WC :596

Fresh from her back-to-back titles in Thailand and Indonesia, Saina Nehwal tells G Krishnan she is close to her best and India have a good chance in London

Beating higher-ranked Chinese, World No 4 Shixian Wang in quarters and No 3 Xuerui Li in the final in Jakarta, must have given you the confidence going into the Olympics, isn't it?
I did really well in the two tournaments. But Olympics is going to be really tough. I have to train really hard and be ready for big matches. Of course, the confidence is high. From now on, I will be training for the Olympics and need to be focussed during practice.
With frequent wins over the Chinese, are you getting closer to them?
The way I played these two tournaments, yes, I am getting closer to them. I did very well. I fought in the best spirits. I think I am closer but I don't know how I am going
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to perform in the Olympics. Right now, it is more about training hard and becoming fit. Let's see how it goes.
What does it need to beat the Chinese?
We need a special programme for that, something different. They are very strong. It is not easy to beat them. In every aspect, be it mental or physical, they are strong. I have to be really good in almost all areas to defeat the top Chinese players. I will be trying my best, working hard to get to shape and get ready to take them on at the Olympics.
Has there been anything different in your training to beat the top players?
There are some areas that I need to improve, like stamina, good off-court training and gain strength. I am trying to improve all the time. At this level, I need to be really strong and should not lack in any aspect of my game.
How difficult is it to win back-to-back tournaments?
It is very difficult because right now everyone is training hard, everyone wants to win tournaments, everyone is working hard to win the Olympics. I am happy to pull out in such difficult tournaments.
Are you at your best now?
The way I played these two tournaments, yes. I played really well. I am happy with the way I played. But I have to maintain it and play in the same manner, have to keep up my form, have good practice schedules. Overall, everything should be good.
You cried after the quarterfinal win in Jakarta. Are you normally emotional?
It was mentally very tiring. We were almost dead at the end of the match. The circumstances of the win made me emotional. I think every match will be like this in Olympics also. Everyone wants to give their best, everyone wants to give you a tough fight. So, it is very tough to play at that level. The quarterfinal was really long. It was the first time I played for so long – one hour and 36 minutes. It was something new to me also.
You seem to do with ease bouncing back from being one-game down and going on to win matches.
It is tough. You need to be really patient and not get worried about winning the first game. You have to start fresh again from the start. I have to be like that to win big matches. I have to be prepared for it in every match. Even if I lose the first game, I have to be ready to win the second and third games.
Finally, what are India's chances at the Games?
It is going to be good, all of us are training hard. Everyone is performing well. Not only in badminton, but also in other disciplines, we have good chance of winning medals.