Mumbai: Saina Nehwal from Hyderabad, just 15, is making waves at the badminton court.
She hit the headlines after defeating India No 1 Aparna Popat at the Asian satellite tournament in Delhi recently and went on to almost upset world No 5 Kori Mori.
Speaking about her match against Aparna, Saina says, "The match went very nicely, I was prepared to play against her. The best that this match has given me is the confidence to play nationally; in fact after the match I couldn?t believe that I have won the match and the title."
Saina's love for badminton began in Hyderabad where she has been living for the past six years.
Her parents, who are former players themselves, have encouraged her and presently former All-England champion Pullela Gopichand is her coach.
But the new teen sensation dismisses any comparison with another Hyderabadi, Sania Mirza.
Saina says, "Sure Sania has done a lot for tennis but please remember that badminton is a small comparatively and so remains to be seen but all I want to focus on is to win lots of tournaments."
Saina, who dreams of winning an Olympic medal, will face her next big challenge will be at the Commonwealth Games in March in Melbourne.
Comments
0 comment