S.Ramu
Either Gopichand or Vimal Kumar can teach their trainees the finest technical aspects of the game with their experience as players of international repute. Drop shots, net dribbles, smashes, quick reflexes etc can be taught besides the secretive techniques to improve movement on the court. But no coach on the earth can infuse certain much-needed things in players such as sportive attitude, cool behaviour, aggression and so on. Players should imbibe these match-winning qualities by watching other players. That is the only way!
Watch any match between the Indian ace badminton star Saina Nehwal and Spain’s Carolina Marin. Technically, Saina may be too good but she is nowhere near the Spaniard in displaying aggressive behaviour and self-motivation after every point scored. Forget the scores, Carolina, who never drops her shoulders even in the face of defeat, displays her killer instinct. It definitely helps her to dominate the opponent on psychological front. Aggression in Saina left a lot to be desired.
The last title the Olympic bronze medallist won was last year in March- the India Open. After that, She played two finals at the World championships and China Open but failed to bag gold medals. Injuries apart, lack of aggression was said to be one of the main reasons for this downslide.
The World No-8, Saina could finally display this aggression with her stunning attacking play in the Austrian Super Series Championship while annihilating world-class players before lifting the winner’s trophy and a fat cheque. You know, who inspired her to be aggressive? It is none other than the Indian Test Cricket Captain Virat Kohli!
Reacting to a congratulatory message from Virat, Saina said: I would love to get more aggression like u for winning more matches. I am trying hard for that.”
“In Australia, I was surprised to see myself being more aggressive. I was not doing that for a long time. But here, I was attacking a lot more. I was very, very aggressive and that’s what I have learnt. I hope, in future matches also, I retain my aggression and continue attacking,” Saina told reporters on her home coming.
Citing the example of India’s Test captain, she said:”All the players, if you see badminton, Carolina (Marin), she got very aggressive game. I really wish to have that aggressiveness, how Virat (Kohli) has got. He is playing really well these days. Every match he is performing so well. He is very aggressive on the field. So, the more aggressive you are, the better you perform. Because, it gives lot more confidence, lot more speed to move on the court. That’s what I have been seeing on the field.”
If Saina keeps up the aggressive attitude on the court, India may get a gold in the forthcoming Olympics in Rio.