N Sikki Reddy teams up with Ashwini Ponnappa

New Delhi: Set to combine with Ashwini Ponnappa for the first time on the international circuit, Hyderabad shuttler N. Sikki Reddy said the decision was taken keeping in mind the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and hoped she would be able to step into the big shoes of Jwala Gutta. “A month ago our Malaysian doubles coach Kim Tan Her, Gopi bhaiyya, myself and Ashwini had a discussion and we decided to pair up. Of course 2020 Tokyo was a reason but that is too far away, four long years, and we want to just focus on the smaller events now,” Sikki said.

“We are a scratch pairing so have no ranking. We have to start with smaller events and make our way up to the super series and big events,” she said. Sikki and Ashwini will be playing the Scottish Open (November 23-27), Welsh International (Nov. 30-Dec. 3) and Irish Open Dec. 7-10) this year. Ashwini said: “Sikki is experienced and has done well in mixed doubles. She has played super series events. So I think we will not take much time to gel well.”

The 23-year-old Sikki, like Jwala, is a left-handed shuttler. “I being also a lefty is a big positive as I have got a lot of variations in my strokes. Of course she has more experience and needs to guide me,” said Sikki. Ashwini added: “Sikki and me can rotate a lot more now. If I move into the net, she can cover the back of the court and vice versa.” Ashwini and Jwala decided to split after the Rio Olympics. “We had separate priorities so we decided it is best if we part ways. It has been a beautiful journey for us together and I think she has been a great mentor,” Ashwini said.

Jwala said: “I have been thinking about playing mixed doubles for quite sometime — I missed it. I had a break after the Olympics and I’m working on my fitness now. I think Manu Attri and myself will make a good pair. Our first tournament together will be Macau Open or Malaysia.”