Concerned about her ranking, World No. 6 ace shuttler feels she lost out narrowly in important matches that would have pushed her back into top four.
If 2012 was Saina Nehwal's best year in which she won an Olympic medal besides winning Super Series tournaments, 2013 should be her worst. She was within striking distance of being World No. 1 but slid to seventh (her current rank is 6th). Saina failed to win a single tournament on the circuit or even defend the titles she won in the Olympic year.
However, this year will stand right up on top for Saina for steering her franchise, Hyderabad Hotshots, to the title in the inaugural Indian Badminton League, with the 23-year-old herself winning seven games on the trot.
However, the country's most celebrated shuttler has taken the year in her stride and is keen on putting up a better show in the coming year that will see her defending her Commonwealth Games women's singles crown besides having a go at the Asian Games gold.
Asked where things went wrong in 2013, Nehwal told dna: “Nowhere. It is perfectly alright. My performance was static all through the year. I entered the semifinals of the All England Championships and Indonesia Open Super Series Premier that are equivalent to the World Cup. I made it to the last eight in Korea Open Super Series Premier, Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold, Singapore Open Super Series and the World Championships.
“In the rest, I was out in the second round in three sets, each match lasting more than an hour. Had I clicked in one, I would have been among the top four in the world. I did not play Sudirman Cup in May and as a result lost more than 7,000 ranking points. I am also concerned about the rank. Also, luck did not favour me. A win in one of the semifinals might have altered the equation.
Anyhow, a loss is a loss, I will focus more in the coming year.”
The only thing left for Nehwal to salvage this year is in the BWF Super Series Finals in Kuala Lumpur from December 11-15.
“I'd like to do better in this last tournament of the year,” she said.
Injuries also checked Nehwal's progress in the year but she admitted that they were not major.
“Injuries did not hamper my chances in the tournaments except those in May-June that included Thailand Open, Singapore Open, Indonesia Open and Sudirman Cup, where injuries halted me.
Otherwise, it was okay.”
Nehwal said the other shuttlers have got better and “tried their best in tournaments” against her.
Asked if the year 2013 was her worst, Nehwal disagreed. “I learnt a lot in these tournaments. In Denmark, I struggled against Ji Hyun Sung of Korea and lost in three sets in the quarterfinals. The same Sung lost to (PV) Sindhu in the next week in France. I defeated Kirsty Gilmore of Scotland in straight sets in Denmark (2nd round). The same Gilmore defeated Sindhu in three sets in France the next week.
"It showed that there was no consistency in the results. So, we have to apply different strategies for different players. That needs more practice and watching videos to chalk out strategies for each opponent,” explained Nehwal.
The extensive touring that top badminton players undertake to meet the desired number of tournaments and stay in the ranking list could leave them mentally drained. But Nehwal maintained that being a professional shuttler does not leave her “stressed”.
Looking ahead, Nehwal was optimistic. “I am enthusiastic, fit and focussed. I want to go further and further in the sport. And yes, my performances must be far far better in the coming year.”
Asked if there was any addition to her armoury, Nehwal said: “Nothing new. I am practicing and training the same way as I have been doing in the previous years.”
Saina's show in Super Series this year
Korea Open Super Series Premier: QF
Malaysia Open Super Series Premier: SF
All England Super Series Premier: SF
India Super Series: Rd 2
Indonesia Super Series Premier: SF
Singapore Super Series: QF
Denmark Open Super Series Premier: QF
French Super Series: Rd 2
China Open Super Series Premier: Rd 2
Hong Kong Super Series: Rd 2
BWF World Championships: QF
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