Saina Nehwal Plans to Make a Comeback From Injury in December

Saina Nehwal said she wants to make a comeback from injury in December.

Saina Nehwal. (Photo: AP)

India’s leading badminton player Saina Nehwal said she wants to come back into competitive action stronger after recovering from a knee surgery and indicated that her best may be yet to come.

I want to come back stronger. I am confident that in the next two-three years I can do better than what I have done in the last five-six years. I have to do better.

Saina Nehwal

Saina expects to recover fully by December if things go as planned.

If everything goes right, I am keen to take part in Dubai World Superseries Finals during that month. I want to come back into competitive action only after I become 100 per cent fit.

Saina Nehwal

Saina Nehwal. (Photo: AP)

Saina, a former world number one, failed to progress to the knock-out stage in the Rio Olympics and returned to India with unbearable pain in the right knee.

She underwent surgery last month at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai for broken bone below the kneecap. A physio is now working with her as part of rehab process, and a trainer would join later this month.

Saina last month dropped four places and became number nine in the latest world rankings. She would miss the upcoming Japan, Denmark and France Superseries, and it may impact her ranking adversely.

She agreed that slipping in rankings is a matter of worry, noting she became world number two in 2009 but took seven years to reach the top position.

Saina said she was very keen to do well in Rio but it turned out to be a disaster following the knee pain.

May be God wished like this, may be I will become stronger.

Saina Nehwal