Therefore, when she grinned and stuck her tongue out in relief during a particularly fierce rally versus Cheung Ngan Yi, it was a bashful admission that the earlier quick exchange had effectively wrecked her nerves in the World Championship Round 1.
Because of her history of injuries, Nehwal’s World Championship matches could very probably be her last. It was a mental battle to see who wouldn’t crumble first in the match between the two seasoned shuttlers, world Nos. 33 and 50, who were both suffering from battle wounds that had been patched up. At one point, Cheung’s coach sank back in his chair with his feet crossed while Kashyap sat slumped with his head in his hands, acknowledging that their players could only be pushed so far by their orders.
What is the driving force?
Although Saina Nehwal has checked off the most of the boxes her ability permitted her to, it has been questioned why she still plays at the age of 32. She was a former World No. 1, owns the record for the most Tour victories in India, and was the country’s first athlete to win an Olympic medal. She also has two World Championship medals: silver and bronze. Why would a two-time Commonwealth champion weep herself to sleep if she wasn’t chosen for this one?
All she knows is badminton, and all she wants is to win. Nehwal has a remarkable desire to challenge the top athletes in the sport and is confident that she still has some gas left in the tank.
When in shape, she can tangle up opponents and make them stumble over themselves with her expertly crafted deception, even though her body rarely supports that goal.
