Shuttler Saina Nehwal is just a step away from becoming the world\u2019s No.1 player as she jumped one place to a career-best second in the international rankings.<\/p>\n
India\u2019s champion shuttler Saina Nehwal moved one step closer to becoming the queen of world badminton when she became the World No. 2 in the latest Badminton World Federation rankings released on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Incidentally, Saina joins former world junior chess champion Koneru Humpy as the only Indian woman player to be ranked world No. 2 in any discipline.<\/p>\n
\u201cDefinitely, this is great news. But I would repeat again that these rankings are the direct outcome of the consistency at the highest level. And this also means bigger responsibility on me in the days to come,\u201d remarked Saina about her latest achievement.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old Hyderabadi was ranked World No. 3 only recently after her grand winning streak. For someone who has taken a truly deserving break after completing an incredible hat-trick winning three international titles including two Super Series last month, Saina was just planning to be back in the rigorous training schedule from tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I am pleased with the timing of the latest ranking as it comes ahead of the World Championship in Paris next month,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThings are happening so fast and so good. It is a nice feeling to be out there in top three of the world,\u201d says Saina recovering from a bout of cold and cough. \u201cI also take the opportunity to thank all those who have been with me especially my coaching staff headed by Gopi sir, and special thanks to physio Kiran,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
For his part, chief national coach Pullela Gopi Chand also felt it was great news for Indian badminton itself. \u201cImagine the kind of impact it would have on the other Indian teammates when we leave for the World Championship. For here is Saina who has given a new dimension to the women\u2019s badminton itself in particular and to Indian sport in general,\u201d he pointed out. \u201cI definitely look at this very good news as a huge fillip to the sport itself and should only spur the others to look far beyond the horizon,\u201d he said to a query. <\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Shuttler Saina Nehwal is just a step away from becoming the world\u2019s No.1 player as she jumped one place to a career-best second in the international rankings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1517,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9692","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n