Tough Journey Awaits Saina Nehwal After Failure To Qualify For Tokyo Olympics: Vimal Kumar

Vimal Kumar, who had guided Saina Nehwal to the world number one ranking, feels the London Olympics bronze medallist can serve Indian badminton for a few years, provided she plans things better and takes care of her body.

Former India badminton coach Vimal Kumar reckons a "tough" journey awaits Saina Nehwal, who will need to target specific tournaments to prolong her career after the COVID-19 pandemic shattered her Tokyo Olympics dreams. Battling injuries and indifferent form, Saina, 31, couldn't make her fourth Olympics after the sport's governing body, BWF, cancelled the last three qualifiers due to the pandemic. "She came into the limelight in 2005-06 and has been a big trendsetter after Prakash Padukone. She has been consistent, played many years and it is sad that she couldn't qualify this year. I guess she has been a bit unlucky in the last two Games," Vimal told PTI. Vimal, who had guided Saina to the world number one ranking, feels the London Olympics bronze medallist can serve Indian badminton for a few years, provided she plans things better and takes care of her body. "She can continue for few years but it is going to be tough. She has to plan things better, target specific tournaments and work towards it. "With her experience she can still beat the best players but she shouldn't look at ranking because it will be difficult to play the circuit and also stay injury free."