Saina Nehwal Trains With Vimal Kumar, Unlikely to Renew Ties With Gopichand

Indian badminton star Saina Nehwal is unlikely to return to long-time coach Pullela Gopichand after continuing her training with Vimal Kumar.

Gopichand, who has seen Saina through most of her career highs did not make an issue of it saying players were free to choose their coaches.

"She informed me that she was going to Bangalore for training. I did not discuss anything further and all I said was 'ok,'" Gopichand told The Hindu.

Gopichand added that he had no serious talks with Saina during the course of the Asian Games.

"Every player has the freedom to train anywhere. We cannot have any restrictions," said Gopichand.

Battling with poor form, Saina had decided to train under former chief coach Vimal Kumar to prepare for the prestigious Asian Games after returning from the World Championship in Copenhagen, Denmark where she lost in the quarterfinals.

Back from Incheon with a bronze medal in the women's event, Saina has chosen to once again travel to Bangalore, where she will train under the watchful eyes of Kumar for the Denmark Super Series which starts later in October.