Strategic Tweaks and Unwavering Belief: Pullela Gopichand Reflects on Historic World Championship Bronze
NEW DELHI: India’s badminton landscape witnessed a significant milestone at the BWF World Championships, as the women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand clinched a historic bronze medal. According to chief national coach Pullela Gopichand, this breakthrough was far from accidental; it was the culmination of six weeks of intense, targeted preparation and a calculated tactical evolution.
The duo’s journey ended in the semi-finals at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, where they were defeated by defending champions Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning of China with a scoreline of 21-18, 13-21, 8-21. Despite the loss, the 23-year-olds etched their names into the history books, becoming India’s first women’s doubles medallists at the World Championships in 15 years.
The Science Behind the Success
Reflecting on the pair’s performance, Gopichand highlighted that their success was rooted in a newfound ability to balance aggression with composure.
"Whatever we’ve worked on in the last six weeks has helped," Gopichand noted. "It’s a revelation how Treesa kept charging at the net to take control, while Gayatri’s backcourt play and rhythm on her serve were excellent. We focused heavily on patience. You cannot be in a hurry; you have to be fast, but not necessarily in a rush. You have to earn every point."
Gopichand acknowledged that the Chinese opponents posed a difficult challenge with their superior serve-and-return sequences, which eventually disrupted the rhythm of the Indian pair in the final set. However, he remained optimistic about the tactical foundation laid during the tournament.
A Proud Father and Coach
The tournament was doubly significant for the Gopichand family, as Gayatri was also awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award this week. When asked about his dual role as a coach and a father, Gopichand maintained a professional perspective.
"Whenever my players have played, I have always had the same feeling. There is no extra for Gayatri," he said, before acknowledging the rarity of their family’s achievement. "With God’s grace, to have two players and two Arjuna awardees in one family—it is rare. I am very proud of her results and how she has conducted herself."
Looking Ahead to the Asian Games
With the BWF World Championships concluded, the focus now shifts toward the upcoming Asian Games. Gopichand believes that Indian badminton is reaching a new level of professionalism, with players like PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and Kidambi Srikanth now working with dedicated support teams.
"Some days, close matches don’t go our way, but we are ticking boxes," Gopichand added, addressing the absence of a mixed doubles medal in the country’s trophy cabinet. "We started with women’s singles, then moved to men’s singles and doubles. We are taking it one step at a time, and I am hopeful that mixed doubles will be our next frontier."
As the Indian contingent regroups for the challenges ahead, the performance of Jolly and Gopichand serves as a testament to the fact that with the right systematic approach, Indian doubles pairs are ready to challenge the world’s best on any given day.
