Doubles pair Pullela Gayatri Gopichand, daughter of India coach Pullela Gopichand, and her partner Vaishnavi Reddy Jakka won their second U-17 girls doubles title at the All India Junior Ranking Badminton Tourna-ment held at Dehradun recently. Gayatri (12) is the youngest player to win two U-17 girls doubles titles, her partner Vaishnavi is 13.
While Gayatri admits that badminton was an obvious choice for her, Vaishnavi took up the game only later. The two train at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy and started playing together two years ago.
“I was a state champion in swimming and tennis. But I quit those to start playing badminton. Though it was my dad’s idea to enroll me, I eventually started liking the game,” says Vaishnavi.
“Gayatri is good at front, with dribbles and at defence,” says Vaishnavi as Gayatri interrupts: “Not just me... both of us are.”
The two never app-roach a game with a plan. “All our decisions are taken during the game. We only try not to be tensed. Also, we don’t fight if we lose a point because of our partner. We keep encouraging each other,” says Vaishnavi.
The girls start their training from as early as 4.15 in the morning and have three sessions every day. But how do they juggle between studies and sports? “I study before exams and manage it,” says Gayatri, a Class VII student of Glendale Academy while Vaishnavi, a Class VIII student of Indus International School adds, “I take tuitions. It’s never a problem to juggle between studies and training.”
The girls add that their schools have been immensely supportive and both of them have been exempted from paying fees. “My school sends me videos of the lessons and the required notes. They also put my photo on the Facebook page. It is quite encouraging.” Gayatri adds, “My school is very encouraging as well. And I like the popularity among my classmates.”
The two are now gearing up for their first international match — The Badminton Asia Junior Champion-ships in October. Gayatri, meanwhile, will be playing at the Junior International Badminton Championships 2015 to be held in Pune next month, her first international tournament.
“I am excited. But I am also tense because I would feel the pressure to at least make it to the semifinals,” says Vaishnavi.
Gayatri adds, “I am not under any pressure. I guess I am playing well and I am at a good phase in my career. I practised hard to get where I am. I am also happy because my parents won their first national matches at the age of 18 and I did it when I was 11.”
