Badminton Queen of India Saina Nehwal (18 page)

The Sportspersons Saina
Admires

Saina Nehwal is a badminton champion. However, the girl has always shown interest in other sports and even has her favourites under each category. Here is a list of sportsperson Saina admires.

Steffi Graf

This is a special sports star for Saina because she was referred to as ‘Steffi Saina’ in her childhood years. Stefanie Maria “Steffi” Graf was born on 14th June, 1969, in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany. She is a former World No. 1 German tennis player. The skilled sports star has won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, second among male and female players only to Margaret Court’s 24. Her 22 singles titles mark the record for most Grand Slam wins by a tennis player (male or female) since introduction of the Open Era in 1968. Graf became the first and only tennis player (male or female) to achieve the Calendar Year Golden Slam in the year 1988 by winning all four Grand Slam singles titles and the Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year. She is the only player, male or female, to win 5 consecutive grand slams (1988 Australian Open to 1989 Australian Open) and 7 Grand Slams out of 8 in 2 calender years (1988 Australian Open to 1989 US Open, except 1989 French open). Saina Nehwal is a great fan of this former tennis star.

Roger Federer

Saina Nehwal is a great fan of Roger Federer. She watches the matches of the Swiss champion to learn from his mental make-up. The great Swiss professional tennis player was born on 8th August, 1981. Federer holds several men’s world records of the Open Era: holding the World No. 1 position for 302 weeks overall, winning 17 Grand Slam singles titles; reaching the finals of each Grand Slam tournament at least five times (an all-time record); and reaching the Wimbledon final eight times.

Ace Shuttler Saina Nehwal’s mother feels that most commentators and former and current players consider Federer the greatest tennis player of all time. He is one of seven men, and one of four in the Open Era, to capture the career Grand Slam, and one of three (with Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal) to do so individually on clay, grass, and hard courts.

Saina Nehwal, watches every match of the Swiss champion to learn from his mental make-up. Her mother also ensures that she learns by watching Federer so that she could see how he approaches his match psychologically. Saina wants to meet Federer. She was excited about a chance in Beijing (2008 Olympics), but that went by.

Rafael Nadal

Critics like to call Saina Nehwal as the Rafael Nadal of India. Who is Rafael Nadal? Ask any tennis fan, and he will tell you the glory of Rafael Nadal. He has been a pillar of inner strength and determination especially when it comes to meeting the nearly – impossible goals. His journey to defeat Novak Djokovic after losing seven consecutive finals was definitely the epitome of his mental fortitude.

Saina is a true fan of this tennis star. She gets inspired by the never-say-die-attitude of Rafael. Born on 3rd June, 1986, Nadel is a Spanish professional tennis player and a former world No. 1. Currently, he is ranked No. 4 by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). He is also regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. His incredible success on clay has earned him the nickname ‘The King of Clay’.

The sports critics feel that India has its own Rafael Nadal in the form of Saina Nehwal and the day is not far when she will gain the same reputation as the international star.

Mary Kom

Mary Kom, known as Mangte Chungneijang by birth, was born on 1st March, 1983, is an Indian boxer belonging to Kom tribal community of north-eastern state of Manipur. She is a five-time World Boxing champion, and the only woman boxer to have won a medal in each one of the six world championships. Saina Nehwal adores this world champion for her courage and willpower that helped her being the only Indian woman boxer to have qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics, competing in the flyweight (51 kg) category and winning the bronze medal. Ranked as No. 4 AIBA World Women’s Ranking Flyweight category, this talented lady has definitely created a special place in the ace shuttler’s heart.

India’s London Olympic bronze medal winners badminton player Saina Nehwal, left, and boxer MC Mary Kom pose with their medals at an event celebrating their victory, in Bengaluru

Maria Sharapova

Saina adores Maria Yuryevna Sharapova so much so that she had a purchased a Mobile advertised by Maria sharapova on television. Born on April 19, 1987, Sharapova is a Russian professional tennis player who is presently ranked as World No. 2 by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). She is also the top Russian player and the only one in the top 10. The United States resident since 1994 has won twenty-nine WTA singles titles, including four Grand Slam singles titles. She became the World No. 1 for the first time on August 22, 2005, and last held the ranking for the fifth time for four weeks from June 11, 2012 to July 8, 2012.

Saina feels that the way she has made a comeback after shoulder surgery is nothing short of amazing. Saina also had a shoulder problem and knows how difficult it gets. Saina aspires to meet Sharapova some day.

Sachin Tendulkar

Saina Nehwal is a huge Sachin Tendulkar fan and that she has accepted time and again. Born as Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar on 24th April, 1973, Sachin is an Indian cricketer widely acknowledged as one of the greatest batsmen in One Day International. He is second only to Don Bradman in the all time greatest list in Test cricket.

Soon, after winning a bronze medal in the London Games, Saina Nehwal received a BMW car for her victory at the London Olympics from none other than batting legend Sachin Tendulkar. The felicitation function was organised by Vice President of Andhra Badminton Association Chamundeshwari Nath, who honoured the city girl by buying her the luxurious car.

Sachin Tendulkar felicitating Saina’s victory at the London Games by presenting a BM Wcar

Saina was elated to hear God of Indian cricket showering praises on her. According to Sachin, the world is yet to see the best of the star shuttler. He also mentioned that Saina is a dedicated player who emphasises only on quality badminton. Sachin Tendulkar was proud of Saina’s and the country’s first-ever medal in badminton at Olympics after her Chinese opponent withdrew from the bronze medal play-off after injuring her knee.