Coach Pullela Gopichand says Arundhati Pantawane needs to build strength for better results
India’s former All England Open Champion and current national coach, Pullela Gopichand, wants national shuttler, Arundhati Pantawane to break into the top-20 positions in the Women’s Singles world rankings, in a period of one year.
Arundhati has surprised everyone by playing fabulous badminton for the last nine months. Her statistics show that she has progressed with an incredible speed and has secured a respectable place in India by becoming the second seed in the country.
The 22-year-old Indian started her journey in the current year from a position of Number 302 in the world rankings. She has been playing consistent badminton throughout the year to jump 230 positions in nine months to reach at Number 72 spot in the Women’s Singles world standings, which is a remarkable achievement for the Indian.
Arundhati has become the best shuttler in India after Saina Nehwal, who is currently World Number Four. Her recent runner-up finish at the 2011 Yonex Czech International has helped her to jump from Number 82 to Number 72 position in the world. She lost the title match to Czech Republic’s Kristina Gavnholt.
Gopichand is happy and satisfied with the wonderful improvement of the shuttler. However, the coach wants her to put extra effort to build more strength and reach in the top-20 positions in a period of one year.
The coach said, “She is doing extraordinary well in the last few months. It is wonderful to see the rise and rise of Arundhati. She has surpassed everyone's expectations. I just hope she continues to do well in the future. This is just the beginning and she has a long way to go. She has lot of potential. She should break into the top-20 in a year's time.”
He further added, “To get better of the quality opponents, she needs overall improvement in her game. She needs to build her strength.”
Arundhati’s performance in the current year certainly shows that she will not take much time to become one of the best shuttlers in the world of badminton.
Tags: