Had they been from two different countries, the rivalry between badminton players Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu could have been compared to some of the greatest competitions ever in individual sports. However, since both come from the same academy and are tutored by the same coach, Pullela Gopichand, the rivalry between the two has always simmered, but never exploded on the face.
But then make no mistakes there is indeed tremendous rivalry between the two – it has to be – as intense competition can only take a player forward. And as far as international achievements are concerned Sindhu definitely is a few steps ahead of her senior Saina.
The tall and gangly Sindhu has one Olympic silver (2016), one World Championships silver (2017 and 2018), two World Championships bronze medals, an Asian Games silver as well as a Commonwealth Games silver medal. She has also been ranked as high as No.2 in the world.
Saina on the other hand has been ranked as the World No.1 for a brief period in April 2015. She has also won an Olympic bronze (2012), the first Indian to win a medal in badminton at the Olympics. She also has a World Championship silver (2015) and a bronze (2017) medal in her kitty. In addition she has won two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games (2010 and 2018) – the second one particularly memorable because she defeated Sindhu to win it.
But it is the head to head record which matters to both the players. In the last five years they have played five times with Saina winning on four occasions. And she has always harped on this fact whenever people have questioned her on Sindhu’s prowess. Her last victory over Sindhu was in Senior Nationals which came earlier this year.
Even though they train together, see each other every day socially the interaction is quite less according to others close to the two players. “It is quite natural, they may be sociable, but they certainly cannot be the best of friends because a lot is at stake,” had been former India player Jwala Gutta’s comment when she was asked about the two. “After all, you will have to realise that both have this innate desire to be the better than the other.
Saina, however, has been the first to admit that ‘on court rivalry’ with Sindhu is essential to improve her game. “Off the court, we may be good friends, but on court, I think, we both have this desire to outdo each other. It is essential – otherwise we will not be able to improve,” was her comment recently when she was asked to comment on the relationship between the two.
But then those who know the two say that the five-year age gap between Saina (29) and Sindhu (24) also has played a role in preventing a close bond developing. Sindhu acknowledges that. During a recent summit organised by a media group, Sindhu said ‘when we represent the country we definitely tend to care for one-another; but then when it comes to individual achievements, there is fierce rivalry’. “It’s quite natural,” she had stated.
Modern individual sports are all about fierce rivalry and equally good bonding. That is why Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, tennis’ most talked about rivalry regularly go out together for social gatherings. “It’s great when we talk tennis,” Federer had once said when asked to comment on his off the court equation with Nadal. “You have to realise that the pro tour is a pretty lonely and frightening experience. The only way you can relax is by bonding with people you see every day. I see Rafa every day on the court… so going out with him for lunch or dinner is the perfect way to unwind,” he had been quoted as saying.
Coming back to the Saina-Sindhu equation it is quite possible that they may have gone out together while representing India. But in the individual circuit there have rarely been reports of the two bonding. Saina has also at times tried to play the role of a ‘dominating bari didi’ which has also not been liked by Sindhu, according to those who are close to the two.
Well will India’s best two shuttlers be best friends ever? Chances are it may not happen soon… may be after both hang up their racquets. Till then it is better to watch their histrionics on the court because both have become legends in their own rights.
PNN & Agencies