With less than a week left for the Dubai World Super Series Finals, Saina Nehwal is carefully working her way back from injury.
The 25-year-old, who last played at the China Open in the middle of November, has been laid low by an Achilles tendon injury. At the KBA courts here on Friday, Saina trained rather gingerly, playing only standing strokes and trying not to put too much pressure on her right ankle, which was lightly taped.
“The last three weeks after the China Open, she’s been working with the physio and the trainer, trying to strengthen that area,” her coach U. Vimal Kumar said at the KBA courts here on Friday. “Not much of badminton (in her preparation), only standing strokes. But since this is the year-ending tournament and an important one, she has certain commitments, including with the World Badminton Federation (BWF), so she needs to be there. There’s been a lot of relief and improvement (so far) but it will take a little more time for her to regain her full fitness.”
No-risk training
Saina's training since her return from China has not involved any strain on the injured area. “No risk (right now),” Vimal said. “Basically she’s doing specifics so that she’s still in touch (with the game) because in badminton, a lot of skills are involved and that feel is needed (all the time). On the court, she can’t do the lunges and intense workouts at the moment.”
Vimal was hopeful that Saina, who missed the Hong Kong Open and the Macau Open, would be able to play at full tilt in Dubai.
“That’s what we are hoping for,” he said. “So far, she has not put pressure on the leg as per the advice of the doctors. Over there (in Dubai) on Monday and Tuesday, she will try to push and see how much she can take. Then we will take it one match at a time. It is a league format and there are four in a group.”
Heading into an Olympic year, Saina will not want to aggravate her injury. She would not fret over her condition or its impact on her performance, Vimal felt. “You have to accept these things,” he said. “We can’t think too much on those lines (how she will fare in Dubai). Then you get mentally affected. Just go and play and have no expectations.
“When she comes back she has a lot of work to do. January is important; it's when she gets time. She has had continuous tournaments this year. I’m sure it’s the same issue with other top players also. But being an Olympic year, she has to be a little more careful.”