Saina Nehwal has revealed that she had almost thought of quitting the game around this time last year when recalling what was one of the toughest phases in her career, says a report in The Hindu.
The report adds that the 25-year-old saying that she felt terribly lost and not sure where her career was heading. “I was losing to lesser-ranked players and somehow not feeling confident. Luckily, Vimal sir’s offer came. It was not a planned thing, but just happened at the right time,” Saina said.
Asked if life would have been different had she not moved to Bengaluru, she said, she would have hovered around world No. 20 if she had not made the move. “I was not the kind of player who would wait for opportunities to come. I was aware of the number of players in Gopi sir’s Academy. Apparently, that was the time I needed specialised coaching and I am glad Vimal sir really worked hard with me in the last one year or so. The results are there for everyone to see,” Saina said.
Meanwhile in an interview published in The Economic Times, Saina says that there was no disappointment. “I am very happy to win a medal, something that was long pending. This will definitely help me to improve as a player. I reached the final and I gave my best. In big tournaments winning and losing will happen. Yes, in the final I could have given a tougher fight.”
On being asked if she got into a defensive mind-set as said by her coach Vimal Kumar, she said, “There was nothing like thg at. When I entered the court, I only had one thought that I had to give my best. I was thinking of pulling the second game out and taking it to the third. Through the match, there is no time for all these thoughts. Maybe I will ask sir (Vimal) about his observation when I go back to Bangalore.”
