DUBAI // The women’s side of badminton’s Dubai World Superseries Finals this week is all about one rivalry: world No 1 Caroline Marin of Spain versus India’s second-ranked Saina Nehwal.
Nehwal, 25, lost top ranking to Marin earlier this year after an injury-hit season, but still managed to win two out of three finals she played in 2015.
“Being world No 1 is something I was aiming for and I’m very happy that I got it twice this year. Now I can see myself being consistent and playing finals consistently,” she said. “Injuries here and there trouble a little bit, but I’m very happy to maintain myself and get good results.”
Marin has had a standout year, winning five Superseries titles, the All England, Malaysia, Australia, France and Hong Kong Open titles, as well as defending her World Championships crown in August. She says that playing Nehwal brings out the best in her.
“She’s a good player. She’s a talented player and she has really good quality in the shuttles,” the Spaniard said. “When I play against her, I believe my game gets better because I can’t make mistakes against her.”
Nehwal wants top spot back but is putting thoughts of ranking to the back of her mind in Dubai.
“To win titles, of course, that’s more important,” she said.
“Of course, it’s not that I can’t become world No 1 again, but for me it’s important that I win titles, and if I get to No 1, it’s like a bonus.”
A big crowd is expected in support of Nehwal at Hamdan Sports Complex when the tournament starts tomorrow, and she says she appreciates the support from the UAE’s Indian expatriate community.
“Definitely it’ll give me an advantage. It’s going to be like India,” she said. “Last time I was here there were so many Indians cheering for me. Dubai is like home for me, I’ve been here for so many years, I’ve come here not only for badminton but for other work as well, and I really love the city.”
The new year will see Nehwal’s focus shift to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“Last time it was bronze, and people are expecting me to get another medal,” she said of her medal at London 2012. “But it’s not easy, the Olympics is a very tough field. It’s going to be huge because there are a lot of expectations and I need to be in good shape. I’m not thinking too far, I just want to be fit for the next few months, and win as many tournaments as possible.”
The biggest obstacle to her ambitions will be the excellent form of Marin, who missed last year’s event in Dubai. Just as her rival is raising the sport’s profile in India, so Marin is gaining recognition in Spain, and she already has a big fan in Rafael Nadal.
“He was impressed with my performance during the last two or three years,” Marin said of the tennis superstar.
“I showed that in badminton we have some good players. It’s important for Spain and the players that badminton is getting more popular.”
Nadal is Marin’s biggest inspiration and she sees similarities in the way they approach their sports.
“I compare with Rafa because we have the same character,” she said. “We fight until the end, we show opponents that we want to beat them. We die until the match is over, that’s why Rafa is my idol.”
She even revealed what the normally tireless Nadal thinks of badminton.
“He plays,” Marin said, “but he doesn’t like it because he said it’s too tiring.”
akhaled@thenational.ae
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