BENGALURU, Sept 5: London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal wants to qualify for the Dubai World Superseries Finals after resuming her partnership with long-time mentor and chief coach Pullela Gopichand.
Three years after parting ways, Saina yesterday announced her reunion with Gopichand and said she is looking forward to training at his academy beginning on Thursday.
�I feel when we spoke things went very smoothly and there was no discussion of past. For now, we have buried our past differences. We are now only looking forward to the training,� Saina, who won a bronze at World Championship, told PTI.
�I would like to start training first, the fire to win is there and I would definitely try my best. I�m keen to qualify for year-end Dubai Superseries Finals.�
After splitting with Gopichand following a loss at the Copenhagen World Championship in 2014, Saina had said that her off-court planning was not fructifying as she was losing to top players such as China�s Li Xuerui.
Saina said she has started playing in Hyderabad from yesterday, but because she has some pain in her leg, she will start full training from September 7.
�I am playing in Hyderabad, but because I have some pain in my leg, I will start full training from September 7,� said Saina, who is suffering from a slight thigh strain.
Asked if she was feeling homesick while training in Bengaluru with Vimal Kumar, Saina said, �It is not like that, but things will be much easier in Hyderabad for me.� Saina credited coach Vimal for being there when she needed him the most.
�Definitely, his hardwork has paid off in the last three years that Vimal sir has worked on me,� she said. � PTI
