Indian badminton star Saina Nehwal on Saturday stated she’s positively within the race for the Tokyo Olympics however earlier than that she has to get again to her rhythm and win tournaments. The 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist, who has slipped to twenty second in Badminton World Federation’s Tokyo Olympics qualification rankings, has not too long ago struggled with niggles and is more likely to return to motion in subsequent 12 months’s Asian Tour.
“I do know Olympics is in everybody’s head. It’s one thing very massive however earlier than that it’s important to take into consideration so many tournaments. I’ve to get again to my rhythm and win towards the gamers who’re in top-20,” Nehwal stated in a digital interactive session hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce.
“There’s some two-three months’ of coaching earlier than that. It’s important to be completely nice and play seven-eight tournaments, after that solely I’ll take into consideration the Olympics. However sure, I’m positively within the race. I wish to do nicely and I’m working exhausting for that.”
An enormous fan of tennis celebrity Roger Federer, the 30-year-old Saina stated if the Swiss ace together with the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams can go robust at not so a younger age, she can also.
“I can see nice examples in Djokovic, Federer, Nadal, Serena doing so nicely. Why not it’s important to see the way it goes? I’m a fighter and I’ll get again. When he can do it, why can’t I?” she stated.
“Sure, there have been occasions after I felt I’ve to ‘cease taking part in’ and ‘I can’t win anymore’. However then I believed I might push it. I like to combat. What is going to I do sitting at dwelling. That is my life, that is my job.”
The previous world primary, who not too long ago pulled out of the Denmark Open that restarted the worldwide calendar put up COVID-19 pandemic halt, additional stated she will be able to grow to be the very best on this planet once more.
“I’m doing nicely. Accidents play an enormous position and that occurred to me. As of now, I really feel good. I can do it, I might be the very best on this planet. It’s all the time been there in my head. I’ve to right my niggles. Enchancment is unquestionably taking place. Let’s how I play. I don’t wish to take that motion out of the blue. I wish to see how badly I lose, if I’m not able to taking part in anymore,” she stated.