Saina feels confident to compete again but advice from coach Vimal is not to expect results immediately

SAINA NEHWAL is set to return to courts at the China Open and her coach Vimal Kumar states that the fans should not keep high expectations from her as she is just getting into the groove.

"You have to be very realistic with your expectations, what you can do in the next couple of months. She just wants to play. I tell her: 'Don't have big expectations. Just go and play. If you're able to perform it's a bonus.' She wants to compete," he said to Sportstarlive.com

Talking about her progress in her recovery and game, he said,

"She's on the right track with her rehabilitation. I didn't find any weaknesses when she came back. I thought there would be some muscle wastage, but her legs look fine. She just needs to get confidence in her movements and her endurance levels need to improve. You cannot rush into things. We will raise the intensity (of training) gradually."

After her early exit from Rio Olympics, Saina was completely dejected and Vimal Kumar tried to console and give her back the confidence.

"I tell her: 'Your skills will not desert you. Once you're in good physical shape, you will be back to your best.' She's also very young. So it's tough for her. She's not gone through this before. Everyone was expecting a lot from her at the Olympics; the hype was such. You cannot sit and brood if you want to be back. But I'm happy to see her ready to compete. That shows her courage and mental make-up."

He further added that, being away from the sport for long has made her more hungry.

"She has missed badminton. For the last two months she couldn't do anything and that energy is there. If she wants to play tournaments, I leave that entirely to her. She feels confident that she can compete. That's her call; it's her body. The result does not matter. If she trains for the next one month she will be back."

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