Saina Nehwal on iSport: Known for her mental strength and determination, we got our iSport columnist and sports psychologist Dr. Chaitanya Sridhar to decode what goes on in Saina Nehwal’s mind. An iSport exclusive!!
Editor’s Note: We just can’t seem to have enough on Saina Nehwal!! But we are absolutely delighted! From being iSport’s first ever Athlete of the Month to now this – the Khel Ratna special, iSport is only happy to bring to you the Queen of Indian Badminton, or should we already say World Badminton?
Saina Nehwal - the latest buzz in Indian Sport is an awe-inspiring personality! Her rise to World No. 2 in Badminton is an inspiration to all Indians, though the recognition given is a tad too late.
The ace shuttler Saina Nehwal was last week selected for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honour, for her outstanding achievements on the badminton court.
Saina Nehwal's three titles in three weeks were phenomenal achievements not only for the badminton champ but Indian sport. Saina’s determination, self-belief and dedication will empower her to make a triumphant mark in the World Badminton Championships, which start in Paris in the month of August. While numbers might not matter in the World Champions, I do believe that Saina has it in her to achieve numero uno status in Badminton.
2010 started with Saina leading the Indian team to the finals of the Uber Cup for the first time. She won all her matches in the event. She was among the last four in the 2010 All England Open, becoming the first Indian woman to reach thus far.
She defeated Japan’s Sayaka Sato to defend the Indonesian Open Super Series in Jakarta, thus completing a hat-trick of titles. Moreover, this enabled her to break into the top three of world badminton rankings and subsequently to the No. 2 position.
Saina Nehwal is a breath of fresh air thanks to the simplicity, charm and humbleness she displays despite achieving such a feat. A role model not only for the youngsters but also for many a shining stars whose head seems to fall of their shoulder after crossing a small hurdle! Read the interview to get a sneak peek into the enigma’s mind.
Dr. Sridhar: How does it feel to be World Number 2?
Saina: It is good to be in the ‘Top 5’ of a class, and to achieve this in badminton is truly a great feeling.
Dr. Sridhar: What qualities/factors do you attribute to your success?
Saina: Success to me is a combination of hard work, excellent training given by my coaches and above all God’s grace.
Dr. Sridhar: Did you believe you would reach this stature so soon?
Saina: Yes, I was confident that I could defeat anyone in badminton. My confidence grew with every title I conquered.
Dr. Sridhar: How are you handling the pressure of being No. 2?
Saina: It is the same as earlier. I’m trying to stay as normal and calm as before. Actually, it seems to be very easy to be at this stage.
Dr. Sridhar: Do you think mental preparation is essential?
Saina: Mental preparation is important to keep calm and play well under pressure. You have to learn to curb disturbing thoughts that come up, especially during crucial stages of a game.
Dr. Sridhar: How do you maintain focus on and off the court?
Saina: Luckily, I do not have any thing to worry about, so the only thing in my mind is ‘to win’. But having said that I do make some mistakes by wanting to hurry the game and don’t show good results. I’m trying to come out of it.
Dr. Sridhar: Who is your role model and what have learned/observed from them?
Saina: I like Roger Federer. He is a really cool customer and delivers his best under pressure. I try to inculcate the same by giving my best at crucial stages.
Dr. Sridhar: What's your mental preparation before a match, especially against a top-seeded player?
Saina: Firstly, I warm up an hour earlier for any encounter however easy or hard the opponent is. I try to remain calm and focus on my game and strengths.
Dr. Sridhar: What's your self-talk or what are you saying to yourself while playing, especially when the match gets tough?
Saina: I try my best to focus on positives and cut-off past mistakes. I tell myself to be calm and give my best.
Dr. Sridhar: How do you handle pressure during crucial junctures?
Saina: I put more pressure on myself by ‘hurrying to win’, so I have lost a few matches in the past. But now I am learning to be calm, patient and normal even in crucial stages.
Dr. Sridhar: What makes a champion?
Saina: A champion has to be disciplined by practicing regularly in the right manner, respect coaches and most importantly ought to have self-belief.
Dr. Sridhar: Your message to budding talents and your fans on iSport.
Saina: To achieve a goal, one needs to be focused, concentrate on strengths and give wings to dreams in the right direction!
Enjoy each match as what matters in the end is the journey!
(My sincere thanks to iSporter Kunal Shah without whom this interview would not be possible)
Dr. Chaitanya Sridhar is a sports psychologist and practices out of Bangalore. She writes regularly on www.isport.in
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Asif Khan
said:
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... Congrats once again Saina for the amazing achievements! You are one of the small group of sportsmen and women who will be one day remembered for ushering in a sport revolution in a country of a billion and for inspiring millions to take up sports! Wish you all the very best and hope you achieve a lot more! Fantastic work Dr Sridhar! |
a guest
said:
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... Thanks Dr. Shridhar for asking such important questions, a lot can be learnt through the answers Saina has given. Great!! |
a guest
said:
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... great interview.. wonderful to see India doing well in various sports... Congrats to Saina! for making India proud. apt questions.. very well Done, Dr. Shridhar.  |
Priya Bhat
said:
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... Great interview Dr. Shridhar and spendid answers in return!..So grounded and inspiring. I would like to wish Saina hearty congratulations for all the truely extraordinary achivements fo far and the very best for reaching that No. 1 position soon as well ! |
Chaitanya Sridhar
said:
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... Thank you All... Definitely learnt a lot through Saina's answers! May she achieve many more laurels... |
a guest
said:
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... i like you saina didi. i also want to be like you . all the best for coming matches |
a guest
said:
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... The interview is very nice and helps to motive to do something good. I LOVE IT. I LIKE YOU SAINA VERY MUCH YOU ARE MY INSIRATION. |
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