Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Nehwal admits pressure of Indian expectations

INDIAN star Saina Nehwal admits that the pressure gets to her as she continues the difficult road to the Olympic Games via the All-England Open championships, which reached its quarter-final stages on Friday (March 11).

Carrying the weight of expectations of the second most populous nation on earth has sometimes brought “silly mistakes”, Nehwal says, requiring her to pay extra attention to her mental fitness as well as the repeated physical fitness issues which have bothered her.


Nehwal also admits that finishing runner-up in both the World and All-England championships without winning either is something she “feels sad about” - despite the fact that she is the first Indian woman to get that far and that last year she became the first Indian woman ever to become world number one.

“I’ve been carrying expectations for many years, but at the same time I know every match counts because so many people are following me. I just have to be more focused and keep working hard,” she said.

“I don’t want to think about these things because sometimes it plays a major role and I then make stupid mistakes and lose a match. Then I realise I could’ve played much better so I just try to relax and not think about it too much. I try to just go with the flow.”

As if that were not enough, Nehwal has had to cope with chronic heel problems, caused by the shape and size of her feet and the constant pressure on them as well as an Achilles tendon injury which caused her to play in one tournament with a brace.

A winter training break, designed also to help prepare for the last lap of the Olympic qualifying period, seems to have enabled her to recover from these injuries and she also claims to have “changed as a person” since working with coach Vimal Kumar.

He has helped her relieve some of the pressure, some of which is caused by criticisms that are cruel and unfair, and some which stems from inevitable limitations of the body.

“I’ve come back after injury - it’s been almost two and a half months since I’ve played a tournament, so in that way I am happy,” Nehwal said.

“The injury I had was very serious - Achilles tendonitis. It’s quite painful but I’ve come out of it and am now strengthening very well. It’s a very difficult injury; I’ve faced a lot, it is not easy.”

Although Nehwal became the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal at the Games in London in 2012 - she earned a bronze - she knows the bar will be placed ever higher in 2016 for a success-hungry nation.

More For You

Alcaraz &  Djokovic

Djokovic (L) and Alcaraz embrace during practice prior to The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26.

Getty

Wimbledon 2025: Alcaraz eyes third straight title as Sinner, Djokovic lead challenge

CARLOS ALCARAZ will look to win his third consecutive Wimbledon title this year, reinforcing his position as the leading player on all surfaces. Jannik Sinner, who lost to Alcaraz in a closely fought French Open final, heads to London hoping to reverse the result.

Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic will also be in contention. At 38, this could be his best chance to win a record 25th Grand Slam title. Djokovic lost the last two Wimbledon finals to Alcaraz and will aim to reclaim the trophy at the All England Club.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rugby Premier League

The Rugby Premier League (RPL) features six franchises and brings together top players from the World Sevens circuit with Indian players. (Photo: Rugby Premier League India)

Rugby Premier League India

Rugby Premier League aims to revive Indian rugby through new sevens league

NEARLY 150 years after the closure of the Calcutta Football Club led to the creation of rugby's oldest international trophy, a new sevens-format league has been launched this month to help revive the sport in India.

The Rugby Premier League (RPL) features six franchises and brings together top players from the World Sevens circuit with Indian players. The tournament follows rule variations suited to television broadcasts.

Keep ReadingShow less
David Beckham

Beckham’s arm surgery linked to an old injury from a 2003 football match

Getty Images

David Beckham hospitalised for arm surgery after years of pain from old football injury

Quick highlights:

  • David Beckham had surgery on his right arm following years of discomfort from a 2003 injury.
  • Victoria Beckham posted a hospital photo with the caption “Get well soon Daddy.”
  • Doctors removed a pin that failed to dissolve from an earlier procedure.
  • Fans flooded social media with support as Beckham begins recovery.

David Beckham has undergone surgery on his right arm after enduring years of pain from an old football injury. The former England captain was admitted to hospital this week, where doctors corrected a long-standing issue stemming from a 2003 match against South Africa. Beckham is now recovering, with his wife Victoria offering fans a glimpse into his post-op condition through an Instagram update.

Keep ReadingShow less
Alcaraz-Wimbledon-Getty

Carlos Alcaraz plays a forehand against Novak Djokovic in the Gentlemen's Singles Final on July 14, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)

Wimbledon draw: Alcaraz opens against Fognini, Sabalenka faces qualifier

CARLOS ALCARAZ will begin his attempt to win a third straight Wimbledon title against Italian Fabio Fognini, while women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka opens her campaign against Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine.

The draw, held on Friday at the All England Club, featured several notable first-round matchups.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jofra Archer

The 30-year-old fast bowler has struggled with injuries throughout his career and has played just 13 Tests, the last of which was in February 2021.

Getty Images

Jofra Archer recalled for second Test against India

JOFRA ARCHER has been named in England's squad for the second Test against India, marking his return to the Test side after more than four years.

The 30-year-old fast bowler has struggled with injuries throughout his career and has played just 13 Tests, the last of which was in February 2021.

Keep ReadingShow less