Saina Nehwal and Sania Mirza have many things in common, the closest being passion to play for the country. The Hyderabadi duo are now in Guangzhou and are India’s best hope in racket sports to win medals. The famous duo spoke exclusively to MSN on their chances. Read on
Busan Asiad. Today, as she carries the tennis hope of a nation once again at Guangzhou, India will be rooting for her. Sania Mirza may have had a rather forgettable year on the professional front although it was a truly special one on the personal front. After struggling with injuries, Sania is fighting her way to form. The good news now is that she has played in Guangzhou only in September and knows the conditions well as she reached the last 8 of the $ 220000 tour event there. MSN caught up with Sania through mail and this is what she had to say
Q. How good has been the preparations going into the Asian Games?
A. My comeback to big time tennis is still a work-in-progress but I feel as well prepared as I could be and am ready to give my best shot at the Asian Games. I hope things go my way at Guangzhou
Q. How special will it be to win a medal at the Asian Games?
A. I won a bronze in my first Asian Games in Busan in 2002 when I was a 15 year old. Then I won gold and 2 silvers in the Asian Games in Doha in 2006. Of course, it will make it very special to come back with my fifth medal in my third Asian Games as well!
Q. How different will Asiad be in comparison to CWG?
A. When the Games are held in one's own country, the home crowds are a huge advantage and we used this profitably in the CWG in New Delhi. However, it is also a challenge to perform in a foreign country and one feels inspired to win for one's nation against the odds, when the crowds are rooting for their own athletes.
Q. You've had a year where you battled your way out of injuries and poor form. Can 2011 restart the magical moments for you?
A. In a truly global sport like tennis, it is rare that a player comes back to the level that he or she had achieved before an enforced prolonged injury break. I believe I have made some progress over the last few months and God willing, I hope to get back in due course.
Q. Are you concerned at your current ranking, which means you will have to qualify or rely on WCs for big events?
A. I have never shied away from competing in smaller events if I need to and I know that if I keep improving, as I have done over the last few months, the ranking will take care of itself.
Saina Nehwal will be the cynosure of all eyes at Guangzhou. Although China is a world superpower in badminton, even they would know how special Saina Nehwal is in the world of badminton. The world No.3 will be India's only big medal hope in badminton as most of the others will find it difficult to break the wall of China. MSN caught up with the Hyderabadi thunder just before she left for Asiad. Here are the excerpts
Q. It's been amazingly hectic year for you. Is Guangzhou the final frontier?
A. 2010 has been very special for me. I did very well in the Super Series events and followed that up with the most special moment of my life when I won the CWG Gold and that too coming from the brink by saving championship points. Adding to it was the Khel Ratna Award, which I received just the other day. Feels very special and motivating.
Q. You received the Khel Ratna just a few days before the Asian Games.
A. It was a coincidence. I couldn't receive it then since I was in Paris, playing the World Championships and that is why it was rescheduled for me and I received it now. It is good that it is happening just before Guangzhou as such awards serve as a huge motivation going into prestigious events like the Asian Games
Q. How different will Asian Games be compared to the Commonwealth Games?
A. Very different. And for many reasons. CWG was played at home and you have the crowds roaring for you and that was a big helping factor. Moreover, CWG does not feature the Chinese, who are easily the world champions of sport. We had seen their dominance in the Beijing Olympics and you can expect to see more or less the same in the Asian Games. Playing the Chinese in China is never easy.
Q. Are you hopeful of a medal?
A. Obviously. Anyone who plays for their country will always go with the hope of winning a medal and that itself should be the biggest motivation. I am very well prepared to give it my best shot. The good news is that I have seen some improvements in my game since the CWG and am also feeling fresh and fit. I am targeting nothing less than a Gold. Having said that, I do not want to put myself under too much of pressure. Rather want to relax and take every game as it comes.
Q. The team is on a high as well. How does that help?
A. It is of big help you know. Whenever I used to travel to Grand Prix events or Super Series tournaments, I used to travel alone or with my coach or father. Here I am with a whole bunch of players who are mighty skilful and hungry to win medals. It will be of great help to have them in the stands and root for me especially in a country like China, where the crowd goes berserk in support of their players.
Q. How has life changed after the CWG Gold?
A. Honestly, nothing much has changed. Well, there is name and fame and the lenses that are always chasing you but I am loving every bit of it. No complaints at all