Saina Nehwal

Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal states that 2010 has been a dream year so far for her and she played a completely different class of Badminton at the Hong Kong Open last week to win the competition. “Honestly, I wasn’t expecting anything as such to happen before the Hong Kong Open began. Eventually I felt really happy that I maintained my consistency from round one to the last one” she said in a press meet.

The 20 year old, backed by chief national coach for Badminton Pullela Gopichand and coach Bhaskar Babu, said that winning 3 Super Series title was highly satisfying this year. “The disappointment of Guangzhou Games still kills me though. But I could leave that behind and come up with this victory is a really memorable experience,” she said.

Talking about the World rankings, Saina felt she would have been the happiest had she finished the year as World No. 1. “At the same time I reiterate that rankings shouldn’t bother me. They just follow you depending on how much u lose and win over a given period of time. Right now I think I am driving through a dream phase,” said Nehwal.

When asked about her future goals, Saina said that it would be fantastic if she could bag the All England, World Championship and the Olympics gold. “The focus is clearly on the 2012 Olympics. That is the real big target and the first step towards it would be winning the All England Championships in 2011.”

“Somehow I have a feeling that I do have an upper hand whenever I face the Chinese in the final of any major event. I’m not worried about taking on these Chinese girls,” Saina said. “But only if I play as consistently as I did in the Hong Kong Open right through, then I have solid chances of winning more Super Series titles,” Saina quoted.

Saina also thanked Gopi Sir and Bhaskar Sir for their total support and guidance which actually helped her clinch these titles. Bhaskar Babu said the way she played at Hong Kong she would have beaten anyone who came opposite her. “Such was her complete court mastery. The way she fought back every time she was down was the biggest positive,” he quoted. “I am happy to be associated with such a fine sportswoman and I’m glad that I was there when she won her first major title Philippines Open some few years ago,” he concluded.

Tags: Badminton, Bhaskar Babu, Hong Kong Open, India, Indian Sports, Pullela Gopichand, Saina Nehwal, Sports, Sports India