Saina to resume practice from next week in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Dec 18: Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal is set to return to practice here from next week after recovering from an ankle injury, her father Harvir Singh said. "Saina will, in all probability, start her practice in Bengaluru from next week.

For now, she is undergoing treatment for her ankle injury at our hometown, Hyderabad. She is fast recovering, there's nothing to worry," Singh said here.

The Hyderabadi girl had suffered an ankle injury last month which forced her to skip the Hong Kong Open and also posed a serious question-mark on her performance at the season-ending BWF Super Series Finals.

Singh said Saina has had a very good year as she was runners up in three tournaments -- the All England Championship, the World Championship and the China Open. But because of her injuries, her chances of wining more titles were affected.

"Badminton is the fastest game on the planet, and hence a player's success depends on swift and fast movements, but if you have pain while moving to and fro, it affects the game," Singh said.

Singh said though she lost some of the important tournaments this year, Saina had beaten World No. 1 Carolina Marin.

Asked whether it would be advisable for Saina to participate in the Second Edition of Premier Badminton League (PBL) next month even as she recovers from injury, Singh said, "It is left to Saina to decide on it. She knows much better than anyone else."

PTI