National badminton coach Pullela Gopichand yesterday remained tightlipped about his split with Saina Nehwal, saying he doesn't want to talk about the issue as the Asian Games is just round the corner
Saina Nehwal and Pullela Gopichand
Hyderabad: National badminton coach Pullela Gopichand yesterday remained tightlipped about his split with Saina Nehwal, saying he doesn't want to talk about the issue as the Asian Games is just round the corner.
Saina Nehwal and Pullela Gopichand
Struggling with her form, India's top shuttler Saina has sought the help of former chief coach Vimal Kumar to prepare for the prestigious Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, but said she will return to Hyderabad after the tournament. However, Gopichand didn't seem too amused by the development.
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'Let's leave it'
"Well, it has been ten years we worked together. Whatever has happened, I am not very .... I saw that report in the paper in the morning. Leave it at that," Gopichand told reporters during a press conference yesterday.
"I don't want to comment on that issue because it is two weeks to go for the Asian Games. I think wherever you are training the last thing you want is your focus to be out. So leave it that, (lets) address it later," he said.
Replying to repeated queries on the issue, Gopichand said he doesn't want to discuss the matter at the moment.
Saina has been struggling with her fitness and form for almost two years. She had broken her 20-month long Super Series title drought, winning the Australian Open in June and also performed well at the Uber Cup in May.
Nothing unusual
Meanwhile, Saina's father Harvir Singh refused to read too much into his daughter wanting to train at the Padukone Academy for a couple of weeks.
"She just wanted to try something different and see how it works out ahead of the Asian Games. This does not mean she wants to change her coach," he said.
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