#TFGinterview: 'We would love to comeback with a medal irrespective of which one it is,' says Pranaav & Sikki ahead of WBC

PRANAAV JERRY CHOPRA AND SIKKI REDDY are taking the mixed doubles in the right direction with their pairing and performances at the international circuit. It's just been one and a half years of partnership and they have already set a mark. Within this period, they have reached their highest ranking of 13.

Currently ranked No. 20, they are gearing up for a big tournament, the World Badminton Championships. And this time along with the singles, all eyes and hopes also lie on their partnership. A rise to the top which was later marred with injuries for Pranaav, a reason for their rankings to drop but they are determined as ever and want the trust put on them see success.

TFG visited the duo at the Pullela Gopichand academy in Hyderabad and sat down with them to talk about their preparations and more about the upcoming tournament.

As mentioned above about the injury period that kept Pranaav away from action, when asked how fit he was at present, he replied,

"I recently went to Mumbai and met the doctor and got my tests done. My back is fine now, I was also worried about my shoulder after coming back from US but reports showed that everything was completely fine and we have been training very hard for the WBC."

Talking about their preparations for WBC, Sikki said,

"We are surely rectifying our mistakes from the past because in the recent past we have had a dismal run. Particularly I'm working on my physical ability/fitness. I don't see a problem in me in terms of skill but I think I need to be at my best at the physical front and if that can be worked upon I think we can do wonders at the Championships."

Pranaav said,

"That was the same reason we had to withdraw from New Zealand GPG, because the coach wanted us to get back and train well. The training is in full swing so much so that even on Sundays we train. We have been constantly talking to the coach about our strategies, how to approach certain new aspects of our game and also to get back at our initial best days."

It wouldn't be easy for any shuttler at the tournament as the best of every country and each category will be competing but the Indian duo are determined to do their best. This is how they fancy their chances,

"If we can do well at the early rounds and cause some upsets, we can do really well. If we can get that winning run or the momentum going then I guess we could push ourselves ahead,"

said Sikki which was also echoed by Pranaav, stressing on doing well in the initial rounds.

Sikki continued,

"As we have played in Glasgow earlier, hopefully we have positive signs that we are doing well."

Talking about their rapport and the great addition of doubles coach Tan Kim Her, Pranaav said,

"Before he could come in, we all (the current crop of doubles players) were playing a different kind of mixed doubles. Men's and women's doubles was still doing fine as we had some expert opinions in those categories but none for mixed doubles specifically. Before he could come, we were playing all the categories but it was him he asked me to concentrate on one particular category and paired us together. His inclusion has taught me and all of us doubles players the different strategies used in each category and that was the start of our growth as a pair."

Sikki too had similar things to say about the changes that coach Tan brought in and how it has changed their views about it and increased their knowledge.

They also talk about as players how do they look at the rankings and about how Gopichand plays his role as a coach. In the end they also make an appeal to the fans, to show their support and continue to do so even post WBC. Listen to all of it and more on the TFG Podcast on YouTube below:

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