Hyderabad: After a splendid run in the Indian Badminton League (IBL), star shuttler Saina Nehwal is now hoping to do well in the upcoming Super Series events and next year's Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
"My focus will be on doing well in the Super Series. Next year, it is going to be very tough with Commonwealth Games, Asian games etc," Saina said. I hope to stay fit for that," added the world number four who will next play in the Japan Super Series to be held from September 17 to 22 at Tokyo.
Expressing happiness about her performance in the IBL, where she remained unbeaten, she said the new tournament has helped the young and senior players as well.
"IBL would really help all the youngsters, players like us to play with most of the top players and I think it will really help Indian players to improve a lot. Overall, money-wise every player in the world would get lot more money than playing any other tournaments," Saina said.
With her unbeaten run, Saina, who was adjudged the player of the tournament, helped her team Hyderabad Hotshots to bag the title in the inaugural edition of the league. The 23-year-old from Hyderabad said badminton in the country is poised to make giant strides with several young players performing well in international competitions.
"I think all the players are doing really well. Sindhu, Srikanth are doing very well. I think it will be just a matter of time, when we will be there in top 10 in almost all the categories," Saina said.
Saina, who participated in a panel discussion on winning more medals in the Olympics at the prestigious Indian School of Business (ISB) on Wednesday, said she hoped to be fit for the Rio Olympics though there is still long time to go for the mega sports event.
"I just want to stay fit. Because, Olympics is going to be tough for everyone. It is going to be really challenging. It comes after three years. So it will be really really tough for all of us to stay fit till that time," she said. But I just hope to be more confident, be more relaxed and just give my best."
Asked about the recent reports of rivalry with her young colleague P V Sindhu during the IBL, Saina said: "I think I don't have to answer for anything. It is for my happiness I am playing this game. I really want to achieve a lot for my country. That is what is important."
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