Nehwal blames poor form on leg injury
Indian badminton ace Saina Nehwal has blamed her below-par performances in recent weeks, which saw her lose her top world ranking to arch-rival Carolina Marin, to a leg injury sustained at the World Championships in August.
Nehwal lost in the pre-quarterfinals of the French Open Superseries to former World champion, Ratchanok Intanon last week, following second round exits in the preceding two tournaments in Denmark and Japan that saw her concede the top spot to Marin of Spain.
“I had some pain in my right leg after the World Championships, so it is taking me time to get 100 per cent fit. It’s an Olympic year (2016) so there is no time to take (a) break. I cannot afford to miss any tournament to protect my ranking,” Nehal told the Times of India newspaper, while conceding that lack of full fitness is affecting her game.
The 25-year-old Nehwal finished runner-up to Marin at the World Championship.
“I will have to get fully fit first. That is my top priority now. Performance will automatically take care of itself once I manage to attain my peak fitness,” Nehwal said.
“I don't know when I will regain my top ranking. It is not in my hands. Giving performance is in my hands and I will do that,” added Nehwal, who trains under Vimal Kumar in Bengaluru.
The London Olympic bronze medallist will return to competitive action at the China Open Superseries Premier in Fujian from November 10 to 15 after recuperation and training in Bengaluru. “I hope to make the most of these couple of weeks. Hopefully the pain will vanish before I fly to China. I want to be fit and healthy," she said.
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