Interview with Ashwini Ponnappa: "Jwala Gutta helped me develop as a player"

Ashwini Ponnappa

Ashwini Ponnappa is on a high after winning the Canadian Open women’s doubles crown along with vastly experienced Jwala Gutta. The Ashiwin-Jwala pair reached their career-best ranking of 13 having upset a higher ranked Dutch pair in the final of the Canadian Open.

Ashwini and Jwala are now focused on putting up a solid performance in next month’s World Championships.

Ashwini talked about her Canadian Open exploits, state of women’s doubles badminton in India and much more in an exclusive interview.

Excerpts:

Q: The Canadian Open win must have been just what was needed given the fact that the World Championships is happening in August coupled with the Olympics, which is just a year away. Must be pleased with the way things are going.

Yes I’m happy that Jwala and I won the Canadian Open. Though we won a few medals last year, we had not won a tournament in a very long time, hence this win feels great, especially because it is the Olympic year and the competition is fierce.

Q: You and Jwala did not have it easy in the final of the Canadian Open – you led 15-6 in the second game but the Dutch pair levelled things at 15-15 before you and Jwala showed your tenacity to win the match and the title. Do you think you guys are playing the best doubles of your career?

The Dutch pair are experienced and have won a lot of tournaments, so it was a tough match, I’m happy we won. Yes, I do think Jwala and I have improved and matured as a pair, which has helped us to play some really good matches and beat some top pairs.

Q: You and Jwala are the country’s top ranked women’s doubles – you guys reached highest ever ranking of 13 – how challenging it will be to break into the top ten and stay there consistently?

It is extremely tough for Jwala and me, especially since the two of us lack support in terms of firstly not having a professional doubles coach or a centre with sparring partners where the two of us can train together. We have managed to do well so far despite training in different cities merely because of the support we have received by the government in terms of sending us for all our tournaments, which has helped our game a lot. Sadly, that alone is just not enough to help us break into the top 10.

Q: You had upset the world number 8 in the final of the Canadian Open – how would you assess your chances in the World Championships?

We have as good a chance of doing well as any other pair out there. Though most of the pairs we would be up against come from countries which produce a lot of doubles pairs, I think me and Jwala are quite a strong pair and have a unique style as we are very offensive, so that should help.

Q: A lot has been said about you and Jwala being not included in the TOP scheme in the first two lists. How optimistic are you guys of being included in the next list?

Pretty optimistic!

Q: What are the improvement areas you guys need to focus on going forward?

Probably our defense needs focus.

Q: You are younger to Jwala by a few years, but you seemed like you have matured as a doubles player in recent times to complement the experience of Jwala. Your thoughts.When I started playing with Jwala I was more or less an amateur with zero experience at the senior international level. But from the very first day Jwala has been supportive and encouraging and helped me to develop as a player.

Playing with her helped me to aim and dream big. The fact that she believed we could do well too helped a lot. And of course with time and experience, I think I’ve matured as a player.

Q: What would pave the way for the new crop of women doubles players in India as we are struggling to churn out quality pairs if we take both of you out of the equation?

To start off with, it would be having separate doubles camps with a doubles specialist and good sparring partners. If doubles as an event is given the right kind of encouragement and support, only then will it help youngsters to look at the event as a career option.