Hat trick girl Saina Nehwal back home

Agencies

Chennai, 29 June 2010:  Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal, who won the Singapore and Indonesian Super Series after clinching the India Open Grand Prix Gold, returned home to a rousing welcome on Tuesday. Nehwal landed in Chennai and then went to Hyderabad where she was greeted with another rousing reception.

The Tamil Nadu Badminton Association gave her a grand welcome at the Chennai airport. TNBA Secretary Ashok Bajaj presented her with a Ganesha and a bouquet.

 

 

Speaking to NDTV, the World No. 3 said: "I can not believe I won three tournaments in a row. One thing led to another. From Grand Prix to the Singapore Open and now the Indonesia Super Series ".

However she said, the hat-trick of wins was not necessarily aiming for the No. 1 position. She is also said that she never expected to become World No. 3 this year.

Saina notched up an incredible hat-trick of titles by successfully defending her Indonesia Open Super Series trophy with a hard-fought win over Japan’s Sayaka Sato on Sunday.

This was Saina’s third successive title, having won the Indian Open Grand Prix at home and the Singapore Open Super Series Tournament last week. It was also the 20-year-old’s third Super Series title overall.

"Playing lesser tournaments this year, has helped me train more and therefore win more tournaments," Saina said.

When asked about her motivation, Saina said: "I just like winning, that’s my motivation". She also praised her coach and former champion Pullela Gopichand and called him her biggest inspiration. "Gopichand has been my biggest inspiration - he has stood by me, even in rough times," she said.

Talking about her future plans, Saina said she was looking forward to the Commonwealth Games and the World Championships.

Asked to choose her biggest rival, Saina said: "All my competitors are playing so well, it is hard to say who my biggest competitor is."

"To beat the World No 1 is going to be the toughest at the World Championships and Commonwealth Games. On the international level, you never know who’s going to put up a big fight. I am going to prepare myself to face all my opponents," she added.