Former World No. 1 shuttler Saina Nehwal, who felt her career might face an abrupt end post her recent knee surgery, won the Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold, but can't forget the tough post-Rio Olympics days as well
Saina Nehwal
Saina Nehwal celebrates after defeating Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong in the Malaysia Masters final in Sibu, Malaysia yesterday. Pic/AP
Former World No. 1 shuttler Saina Nehwal, who felt her career might face an abrupt end post her recent knee surgery, won the Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold with a hard-fought 22-20, 22-20 win over 18-year-old Thai Pornpawee Chochuwong in Sibu, Malaysia yesterday. The final lasted 46 minutes.
This is Nehwal's first title after a career-threatening injury four months ago during the Rio Games where she crashed out in Round Two.
The 26-year-old Hyderabadi thanked her parents' grooming that helped her battle the lean period. "Post-Rio was really tough. I underwent surgery and a number of emotions erupted in my mind during the rehabilitation process. Thanks to the grooming by my parents - instead of being swayed in emotions - I battled through and was fully determined to make a comeback. The Almighty helped me in the form of my physio Arvind Nigam and my coaches Vimal (Kumar) sir and Umendra Rana," Nehwal told mid-day yesterday from Malaysia.
Nehwal said that she couldn't stop herself from thanking people on social media as without their support she couldn't have come back in a strong fashion. "My surgery and rehabilitation process were taken care by the best experts and the good wishes of my well wishers lifted me vertically."
Nehwal who plans to play all major tournaments in the coming months, said: "Every step was full of hurdles and I overcame them all courageously. I will pray for all those players who get injured that they don't give up because they will come out well after injuries."
Elaborating on how she stayed positive during her post- surgery phase, Nehwal said: "It couldn't have been possible without the overall support of my parents, coaches and everybody associated with me. They fed me with positive thoughts which proved magical for my comeback."
Before her yesterday's triumph, Nehwal entered the quarter-finals at the Macau and Hong Kong Opens.
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