Saina Nehwal Defends Decision to Change Coach

For someone who has achieved as much as she has, these have been frustrating times for Saina Nehwal. But the Olympic medallist says she can sense a big win around the corner.

Saina was in the capital as a brand ambassador at a women's golf tournament, where she tried her hand at some putting too.

New to golf, Saina had some hits and misses, much like her year on the tour. The Hyderabadi has had several quarter-final finishes, but only two titles to show off, including one Super Series title.

But more than the titles, it is her change of coaches that has made news this year.

Saina shifted her training base from Hyderabad to Bangalore, to train under former national champion Vimal Kumar, just before the Asian Games in Incheon. And it looks like she is going to persist with him for a while.

"I don't think you can call it a long or short term partnership. I just need certain improvements in my game, so I am trying things out. Obviously you can't go from 10th to 1st in two weeks. But I am putting in a lot of hard work, I know I can win soon", said Saina.

Despite very few titles this year, the Olympic bronze medallist has maintained her ranking. She is ranked fifth in the world. But it's not her ranking, but the Chinese curse that has prevented Saina's year from being a great player.

"I don't think I've had a bad year at all. I've been consisntent. You know the Chinese are very good, and they've won all the Super Series titles this year. I think I'm the only one who is giving them some tough competition", said Saina.

That has to reflect in terms of tournament wins though, irrespective of who her coach is. And Saina Nehwal knows that all too well.