Jwala Gutta, Ashwini Ponnappa and V Diju tell Tushar Dutt about their plans for the olympics. Excerpts from an interview:
All three of you have found a supporter in Lakshya. Has it come at the right time?
Jwala Gutta: We never had any sponsor to support us; I am glad we finally got one. It is usually tough to find sponsors for sports other than cricket. But organisations like Lakshya are doing a great job. We have been working hard for many years, and we knew that one day we would get a sponsor.
Ashwini Ponnappa: Singles players usually get sponsorship, but I am happy that Lakshya has thought of supporting doubles players like us. It will definitely motivate us to do well.
How are your London preparations coming along?
JG: We have been working hard to qualify for the Games. We’re almost in, but we don’t want to leave anything to chance. We will be participating in the international tournaments before May 2 when the International Badminton Federation will announce the rankings.
Currently, Diju and myself are ranked 13th. In the women’s doubles ranking, we are 18th (with Ashwini). We want to play more tournaments and maintain our ranking in the mixed doubles, while we need to improve it in the women’s doubles.
If both mixed doubles and women’s teams qualify for Olympics, it will be the first such instance in the history of Indian badminton. Does it make you nervous?
JG: I am sure I won’t be nervous while playing at the Olympics, but the thought of qualifying for the Games does make me nervous. Yes, it will be a proud moment for us should such a feat happen.
AP: When I started playing with Jwala, not even in my wildest dreams did I think of making it to the Olympics. I was rather shocked when Jwala approached me to be her doubles partner. But I must say that we have been playing well and it will be a great moment for us if we qualify for London.
V Diju: Naturally, it will be my first Olympics and I am excited about it. We will have to work hard in the coming days and I am sure of putting up a good show with Jwala.
The three of you make Indian badminton’s two best teams. What do you feel is your partner’s strengths?
JG: I feel both Ashwini and Diju are brilliant players. Ashwini is one of the fastest smashers around and a great partner. Similarly, even Diju is very good at smashes. He is an intelligent player, who comes in handy in a difficult situation. I share a very good rapport with both of them, which I feel is the most important factor. Doubles is not just about on-court co-ordination, but it is more about off-court rapport. We get along well and that is why we have a good co-ordination while playing.
AP: I feel Jwala has always guided me whenever I needed directions. She is very understanding and makes me feel comfortable while playing. Technically, she is very good at playing close to the net, which gives us an advantage.
VD: Fact that Jwala is a left-hander makes a lot of difference. For any opponent, it is very difficult to play against a left-right combination.
Do you take the credit of popularising doubles events in India?
JG: People have a wrong notion that playing doubles badminton is easier than singles. Both the categories are different and equally difficult. Things are changing now and people have started following doubles matches too. It is great if we could inspire junior players to take up doubles events.
AP: We just work hard all the time and win as many matches as we can. We want to reach a certain level, so that we can make way for the coming generation.
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