Saina Nehwal: Playing with the freedom to be a winner

Dubai: Call her on her mobile, and a peppy Punjabi number greets you for the ringtone.

The disarming candidness with which she tackles the interview would betray that you are talking to an 18-year-old, but there the similarity with an 'average' teenager ends.

For Saina Nehwal, who became the world junior badminton champion last week, is now the latest hot property in Indian sport.

Already a world number 11, she has made rapid progress over the last three months.

She missed an Olympic medal by a whisker when she went down in the quarters in Beijing, but she claimed a Grand Prix title in Chinese Taipei and won gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games.

Last week, she added the world title in Pune in western India - a first for any Indian.

Taking a break from her busy schedule at her Hyderabad home, where she is a product of Pullela Gopichand's academy, Nehwal spoke to Gulf News about her recent success.

GULF NEWS: It's been a fantastic year for you so far.

NEHWAL: Yes, it's been a great year so far. Last year, I used to start well in different tournaments but then lost in second or third rounds as I often failed to handle the pressure of the last three to four big points.

This year, I decided to play lot more freely without bothering too much about the outcome.

The experience of playing more on the circuit this year also helped me as a player.

Did you make any tactical changes to your game?

Yes, thanks to my coach and mentor Gopi sir (former All England champion Pullela Gopichand).

As I am basically an attacking player, 'sir' emphasised on the need for developing my defence and backhand strokes.

I have worked on this since March-April this year and have also become a lot fitter.

Being a world No 11 on the senior circuit already, do you think the level of competition in the world juniors was lower?

Far from it, because a large number of the girls who are part of the senior circuit play in the world juniors also.

No Indian girl has been able to win it before, with Aparna Popat going down in the finals in 1996.

Last time in 2006, I lost to a Korean in the final and that also weighed in my mind.

After making the Olympic quarters, you said your plan was to make the top 10 in the world. Where do you stand in your pursuit?

I had to miss a few tournaments over the last month because of the Commonwealth Youth Games and then the world juniors in Pune.

I will give it my best shot in the next few events that I have lined up: China Open and Hong Kong Open.

It takes one to move up by 7,000 to 8,000 points to move up even by a place, and hopefully, I should be able to achieve it soon.

For next year, my target is to break into the top five and also make my mark in the All England, world championships and Super Series events.

Looking back at the Olympics, how was the experience of life at the Games village along with superstar athletes?

It was an unforgettable experience, really. Though I was tied up with my own schedule, there were times when you bump into the likes of Nadal, Djokovic in the dinning hall or in the gym area.

However, my most favourite sportsperson Roger Federer was 'missing' because he was staying in a hotel to be away from the crowd.

For a top international athlete pursuing a career in an individual sport in India, the financial needs can often be a problem. How does your family manage it?

I have been extremely lucky to have an individual sponsor in the Mittals' Champions Trust, who take care of my expenses towards airfare, boarding and participation in tournaments.

It has really helped me to concentrate on the game only.

You are 18-year-old and you already have a brand manager in Globosport, which is owned by Mahesh Bhupathi. Why do you need that?

Yes, I have had a few endorsements also but I know where my priorities are.

My coach tells me that whether it's the media attention or things like sponsorships-- all are linked to an individual's performance.

While I will try to find time for both, it will never be at the expense of my training.

Who are your favourite players in badminton?

It has to be Gopi sir among the men and then Camilla Martin of Denmark among the women in the sport.

Last year, I used to start well in different tournaments but then lost in second or third rounds as I often failed to handle the pressure of the last three to four big points."

Fast facts on Saina

Date of birth: March 17, 1990

Current Ranking: 11 (November, 2008)

Best in 2008

Junior world champion

Gold medallist, Commonwealth Youth Games

Quarter finalist, Beijing Olympic Games

Winner, Chinese Taipei Grand Prix

Quarterfinalist, Thailand Open GP

Semifinalist Singapore Super Series.