My entire focus is on Rio Olympics, says Jwala
Since her return to action in January after the London Olympic Games, doubles specialist Jwala Gutta hasn’t been able to recapture her old form, despite trying out several new partners.
The shuttler played alongside Ashwini Ponnappa and V. Diju in the past with a fair degree of success but with Ashwini linking up with Pradnya Gadre in Jwala’s absence, the latter was forced to find a new partner in Mumbai-born Prajakta Sawant (women’s doubles).
Jwala also joined hands with another young player, Manu Atri, in the mixed doubles recently in place of Diju, whom she split up with after the recent India Open Super Series.
Results though have eluded Jwala, who has also tried her luck in films during this time.
“Changing partners is part and parcel of the game and it’s nothing to be worry about. I am enjoying the challenge and am excited about it,” Jwala told this paper from Hyderabad.
Jwala competed in a couple of tournaments including the All-England Championships in March and the India Open here last month alongside Prajakta without much success, while she is yet to play with Atri.
Their association was further delayed, with Atri twisting his ankle just before the ongoing Sudirman Cup.
Said Jwala, “It will take some more time as we will not play together in the next three tournaments as well.”
The 29-year-old though was confident of a good show in the women’s doubles in tournaments lined up in June — the Thailand Open, Indonesia Open and Singapore Open.
Recently, Jwala had indicated that she was keen to focus more on the women’s doubles in the coming season.
“Prajakta and I have been training a lot. As a senior, I support her in every way. It will take sometime for us to be ready for bigger events. Even with Ashwini, it didn’t happen in a day. I am sure good results will come soon, there’s no hurry.
“Now, my entire focus is on the 2016 Olympics. So, I am hoping to work hard all these years with my current partners to prepare for Rio,” said a fitter and slimmer Jwala.
Recent reports suggested that Jwala, who missed the Sudirman Cup, opted out of frustrataion. But the Hyderabadi denied them, saying, “It was not out of frustration... I had my own reasons. Even Saina opted out, was she frustrated?
“I need to be physically and mentally fit and confident. Myself and Prajakta have hardly played in tournaments,” she said.
Jwala, who said she had shed 10 kgs, was also confident of hitting top form. “I am focusing more on my strengths in order to stay away from injury.”
The country’s top doubles player also had words of praise for her new partners.
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