Ashwini Ponnappa: ‘I’m trying to get better at the net’

File Photo: Ashwini Ponnappa

It’s been an eventful few weeks for Ashwini Ponnappa. The soft-spoken doubles player had the opportunity of playing with the Asian All Stars in the Axiata Cup. She also became the first Indian to be signed up by well-known international brand Victor.

The Axiata Cup experience, where she was part of the team alongside the accomplished Lee Hyun Il, Bao Chunlai, Zheng Bo, Tai Tzu Ying and Yip Pui Yin, has rubbed off positively on her performance – at the India Open, she and Tarun Kona nearly upset the recent Asian champions Ko Sung Hyun and Kim Ha Na in the first round.

During a brief stopover in Bangalore before leaving for Hyderabad, Ashwini was invited by her coach Tom John to address a visiting group of young players from Pondicherry, and later indulged them in an on-court session.

Ashwini talks to Dev S Sukumar about the recent developments in her badminton life:

How was the experience in addressing the young group from Pondicherry?

It’s the first time I’ve done something like that. Doubles in India is basically considered a fun thing; few people take it seriously. Most people don’t realise it’s very different from singles. It’s important to know that the drills are different, and that you need to hit hard, down, and defend well… it was good to interact with them. Tom Sir helped me out. We need more interactions like that.

How has your approach to the game changed over the years?

In the Indian circuit, anytime you hit a good smash, it’s an easy point. But at the international level, everyone’s watching your game, and everyone’s evolving. You can’t be happy with just a good smash. You have to be good all-round, have heart, and be patient from the back of the court. My smash is still my strong point. I still love to hit, but I’ve been working on other areas as well. I’ve been trying to get better at the net. Tom Sir has helped me with many drills. He tells me simple but effective things, like to keep the racket up all the time, or to follow a smash to the net.

Was it difficult when you changed partners, considering Jwala had her own unique skills that made you both such an effective combination?

It was fantastic to be able to play with Jwala. She was very gutsy and naturally talented, and she was good at analysing opponents and match situations. She gave me the confidence to believe that we can be better than we think.

It was a bit challenging after I changed partners. When I was with Jwala, she would take the lead and I would follow. Now (with Pradnya), I take the lead a bit because I have a little bit more international experience than her. We both need to get more experience playing the top pairs. Jwala was the senior partner; now I need to take the lead, get to analyse. I do miss a few things about Jwala. She was always confident… but Pradnya is very good too, and I see myself doing well with her.

Should Indians stick to a particular style in doubles, or is it up to each pair?

It’s different (for different pairs). We have different specialities, like Pradnya Gadre and Aparna Balan are very good at the net; Jwala too is brilliant at the net. The approach to the game varies.

In India, in women’s doubles, it’s either long rallies or quick points due to mistakes. The pace of international players is very high. We get used to that when we play at that level. Their approach to the game is different: the way they train, their fitness – everything is different. They have specialised training for doubles; they have so many expert coaches for each category, and high level of sparring, which we don’t have. But we’re getting there.

Diju and Jwala are so naturally talented… they reached the highest level. They’re smart players on court and so naturally gifted. In India, we have to work at it ourselves. Each of us has a different approach. You need to have confidence and aim high. That’s what I learnt from Jwala.

Women’s doubles is about consistency. I’ve loved my smash; I loved it as a kid. You can hit all you want, but your opponents will keep on defending it. At the international level, not all players hit hard; it’s more about smart play, about working the angles. It’s about the angles of your strokes so as to catch opponents on the wrong foot.

How was the Axiata Cup experience?

It was fun, but it was serious at the same time. In team events like the Sudirman Cup, you stick to your own national team, you hardly get to speak to other players. But the Axiata Cup gave me a chance to make friends from other countries – I enjoyed every bit of it, and I learnt a lot. My teammates were very sweet. It was surprising to see them support us even when we lost – they didn’t get angry or upset.