Maldives holiday was rejuvenating: Jwala Gutta

Badminton player Jwala Gutta and actor Vishnu Vishal have just returned from their short, fun-filled holiday in Maldives. And unlike the trips the soon-to-be-married-couple normally take, this trip included Jwala’s friends too.

Revealing that the holiday to Maldives, which was a collective decision, was their first trip with her friends, Jwala admits she was initially a little sceptical about how her beau would take it.

“Both Vishnu and I have travelled together a few times earlier as he travels a lot for his shoots. This was the first time we went on a holiday with my friends, and we all gelled well and had a great time throughout the holiday,” elaborates Jwala.

Despite the added protocols of undergoing several medical tests, formalities and paperwork owing to COVID-19, the holiday was rejuvenating and mentally refreshing to the 2011 World Championship bronze medallist.

Calling the entire experience soul-stirring, she adds, “The whole of last year was very bad and stressful for everyone, and we couldn’t do anything. Also, both of us have been busy with our respective schedules, but now with flights from Hyderabad being operational again, we thought it was the right time to cool our heels for a quick short break.”

Maldives being a hotspot adventure and water sports, we wondered if Jwala, who’s also the winner of the 2010 Commonwealth Games Gold and the 2011 Badminton Asia Championship Bronze, wanted to try out any adrenalin-racing sports.

“I didn’t try any of those. For me, holidays are all about food and chilling out. I did try out different cuisines, including Japanese and Thai. The breakfasts we had were lavish spreads that left us full every time,” she says thinking back fondly.

“And while for me just looking into the sea, experiencing the breeze and being surrounded by scenic landscape was revitalising enough, my friends and their kids had a blast trying their hand at various adventurous sports.”

Incidentally, Jwala, who reassures us that she and Vishnu will get married soon, has recently launched her own badminton academy in Hyderabad. However, terming the experience as new and something to learn from, she confesses that managing the academy is rather tough.

“Although I am not coaching, my academy activities have been keeping me occupied throughout the day. I have also started to train and play. I am working on myself and want to get better, so I am figuring out things in case I have to play,” she adds.