Aiming to reach top six in 2014, says Sindhu
29 Jan 2014 5:32 AM IST
World No.11 Sindhu will be playing her first Commonwealth Games and Asian Games later this year. The 18-year-old Hyderabadi, who is the first Indian singles female player to win a bronze at the Worlds, is eyeing a medal at the two Games this year. ‘Right now I am ranked World No.11 but I would like to come into the top-6 in 2014 and remain there. Hopefully, I will achieve my target and then aim for a better ranking in 2015. I want to take things a step at a time,’ Sindhu said on Tuesday. Sindhu said she was preparing hard for the two Games and aims to improve her endurance level because these competitions could test her.
‘I will be playing the Commonwealth and the Asian Games for the first time so I hope it to be a good experience. I need to practise and improve a lot more. I will also be focussing on increasing my endurance level and for that I will be training quite hard,’ she said.
‘I will try to be at my best in these two Games. The competition is going to be tough. I will not take any opponent lightly because anyone can spring a surprise, whether it is a junior or a senior. We don’t know who is going to play and how. No player will be easy and I am not going to be overconfident at all,’ said the reigning national champion.
Sindhu has started the year on a fine note by reaching the final of the India Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament in Lucknow where she lost to Saina Nehwal Sunday.
‘It was a good match. There were good, long rallies but I made many simple errors which could have been avoided. Many line calls also went against me but it happens and I have to live with it. I am happy with my performance in the tournament and I played well in the final too,’ said Sindhu.
Talking about her forthcoming tournaments, the Arjuna Awardee said she would take part in the All India Senior Ranking Tournament in Kochi from Jan 29 before flying to Europe.
‘After the All India Senior Rankings, we have the German Open (Feb 25-March 2), the All-England and the Swiss Open in March so will be preparing for that,’ said Sindhu.
I am back to my best: Saina Nehwal
NEW DELHI: After ending her prolonged title drought, Saina Nehwal today avowed that she was back to her best and that she would play select tournaments this year to be in good shape ahead of major tournaments this year Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
Saina beat talented compatriot PV Sindhu in the final to clinch Indian Open, last week. ‘It feels great. Last year was not really up to the mark in terms of many things. But, it is a good start this year.
Malaysian Open also, I played really well. I could see the difference in my game. But India Open was really great. I finally pulled off such a big tournament,’ Saina said after returning to city from Lucknow.’I think I am back to my best, just that I have to maintain and come back to even better shape for the even bigger tournaments next month.’
‘I will be playing the Commonwealth and the Asian Games for the first time so I hope it to be a good experience. I need to practise and improve a lot more. I will also be focussing on increasing my endurance level and for that I will be training quite hard,’ she said.
‘I will try to be at my best in these two Games. The competition is going to be tough. I will not take any opponent lightly because anyone can spring a surprise, whether it is a junior or a senior. We don’t know who is going to play and how. No player will be easy and I am not going to be overconfident at all,’ said the reigning national champion.
Sindhu has started the year on a fine note by reaching the final of the India Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament in Lucknow where she lost to Saina Nehwal Sunday.
‘It was a good match. There were good, long rallies but I made many simple errors which could have been avoided. Many line calls also went against me but it happens and I have to live with it. I am happy with my performance in the tournament and I played well in the final too,’ said Sindhu.
Talking about her forthcoming tournaments, the Arjuna Awardee said she would take part in the All India Senior Ranking Tournament in Kochi from Jan 29 before flying to Europe.
‘After the All India Senior Rankings, we have the German Open (Feb 25-March 2), the All-England and the Swiss Open in March so will be preparing for that,’ said Sindhu.
I am back to my best: Saina Nehwal
NEW DELHI: After ending her prolonged title drought, Saina Nehwal today avowed that she was back to her best and that she would play select tournaments this year to be in good shape ahead of major tournaments this year Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
Saina beat talented compatriot PV Sindhu in the final to clinch Indian Open, last week. ‘It feels great. Last year was not really up to the mark in terms of many things. But, it is a good start this year.
Malaysian Open also, I played really well. I could see the difference in my game. But India Open was really great. I finally pulled off such a big tournament,’ Saina said after returning to city from Lucknow.’I think I am back to my best, just that I have to maintain and come back to even better shape for the even bigger tournaments next month.’
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