Indian shuttlers need to improve, feels Taufik Hidayat

Former World and Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat feels that barring Saina Nehwal, who is a medal hopeful at London Olympics, there is a lot of room for improvement as far as other Indian shuttlers are concerned.

"There are so many players from India but standard is not of highest level. Sourabh (Verma) and all will take time. It is only Saina. I don't know what medal but I hope she wins a medal at the Olympics," the legendary Indonesian said at the sidelines of the India Open Super Series that got underway on Tuesday.

Hidayat feels that post Olympics, interesting possibilities might emerge in the badminton circuit.

"I think Chinese shuttlers will be dominant force. Post Olympics, Peter Gade will retire and it would be more interesting," he stated.

The gold medallist at the Athens Olympics is not impressed with the pool of talent available in men's section.

"There are so many Chinese players. From Malaysia, there is only Lee Chong Wei, from Denmark after Peter Gade it is Jan O Jorgensen. Not enough players," he lamented.

The 31-year-old is yet to take a call on his retirement and would decide after the London Games.

"We will see, I don't know. Let's see, how Olympics goes."

Hidayat admits that it is increasingly becoming tougher to compete against the younger crop of players. With eyes set on a good performance at the Olympics, the Indonesian is looking to test his game at the Indian Open.

"I'm just preparing for the Olympics. I have been lucky in India. I don't know what works for me here but I have won the Syed Modi Grand Prix and hopefully, I will win the Super Series as well," a confident Hidayat added. He will start his campaign against Yun Hu of Hong Kong on Wednesday and is likely to meet world No 1 Lee Chong Wei in the quarters.

"I think, my game is better than last year but my ranking has gone down and I am at No 12 now. I'll do my best but I don't have any target. Actually, I want to test my game here."

Hidayat feels that it won't be easy to win the tournament although Lin Dan is not playing in this edition.

"Even though Lin Dan and Chen Long are not coming but there are so many players. I think all the players right from the first round, everybody can beat you. It is not easy for me. I was talking to Peter (Gade) that it is not easy for us anymore," he said.