Saina needs to vary her game: Vimal Kumar

MUMBAI: It is a well-known fact that when ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal plays there is no dip in the intensity. It is her all-out approach that keeps Chinese shuttler on their toes. Coach U. Vimal Kumar, who is working closely with the shuttler at the Prakash Padukone academy in Bengaluru, feels that while the approach is admirable, Saina needs to vary her pace so that she does not run out of steam.

“Saina is a workaholic. The main thing she needs to do is vary the pace of the game as she meets different opponents. Her approach is to go all out and that sort of attitude works. But it is not easy to play at same intensity and that is why you need to bring in variations,” Kumar said.Vimal revealed that he has told Saina to be more vocal about her game. “What I like about Saina is her drive to be the best shuttler come what may. Her approach is ‘you tell me what I should do and I will do it.’ I told her at your level I want you to apply your head too.

“You have to come up with suggestions too. I will have mine and you come up with yours. She now takes lot of initiatives. I don’t want her to be dependent on me only,” he added.
The veteran coach, said Saina was a quick learner. “It takes little time (to bring changes), but the best thing is when you tell her these things, she is very receptive.” Meanwhile, former great Prakash Padukone backed the growing demand for a separate coach for doubles. “It is very evident that in the paired events we are not doing that well. I had suggested a few years back that we should have a separate camp only for the doubles players, in a separate place with a separate coach,” Padukone said.