The Sports Interview/Aparna Popat

'The competition is getting tougher, both on the Asian and European circuits'

S etbacks, if taken positively, mostly have a lesson hidden. Aparna Popat was on a high in 1999 and early 2000 when the unfortunate International Badminton Federation (IBF) ban of three months, after testing positive for a banned stimulant present in a cold medication happened. But the five-time National women's champion (1997-2001) didn't go into hibernation. She took the bad news in her stride and has since then come out with distinction.

Before the IBF ban, Popat was going through one of the best phases of her life, reaching a career-high world ranking of 16, which she terms as her best moment till date. After the ban, she won the Asian Satellite tournament, held at Bangalore in 2001 and ended up a semi-finalist at the Welsh Open in 2001.

At the 2002 Commonwealth Games, in Manchester, she clinched the bronze medal, going down in what she terms a `tougher competition'. She was also the runner-up at the Asian Satellite tournament, held at Mumbai in 2002.

All this was enough for the government to give her the nod for the forthcoming Busan Asian Games in South Korea. The mandarins in the sports ministry thought she could easily grab a medal. Modest thoughts, though not well-thought. But Popat knows what reality is after having represented the country at the Bangkok Games in 1998. She feels the competition at the coming Asiad will be too tough for her to win a medal and could do well by skipping the Busan event and instead focus on the European circuit, where she could get sterner competition, good for her to improve her game and ranking.

The Indian women's badminton champion spoke to Nagraj Gollapudi about her game and her best moments.

What are the reasons behind you opting out of the Busan Asian Games, when you were only one of the two [Pulella Gopichand is the other] cleared by the government?

The government was very keen on sending only medal prospects. The Asian Games being a tough event, I thought it better to opt out of it and prepare well for the forthcoming European Circuit [Dutch, Danish and German Opens].

How was your experience at the previous Asian Games?

I played the Asian Games at Bangkok in 1998. It was a wonderful experience as it was only the second time I was officially representing the country [the first was the Commonwealth Games at Kuala Lumpur in the same year]. Thai people are generally known to be very hospitable and they totally lived up to their reputation. The facilities provided were excellent.

What were your expectations on the eve of the Bangkok Games?

The Asian Games boasts of a very strong field in the badminton event. Therefore, I was only looking to go out there and play my best and gain exposure.

How did you get along with the other athletes from India?

Well, I did not get to interact with too many Indian athletes as we were there for a very short period of time. However, I did manage to get to know our Indian swimmers a little better.

Your appearance on the court was a very short one?

Yes, I lost to Ng Mee Fn of Malaysia in straight games in the first round.

Let's get back to your overall career... the best matches you played so far?

I think all the matches I played in the World Junior Championships, held at Silkeborg, Denmark, in 1996, are very dear to me. Other than that, the semi-finals of the 1998 Commonwealth Games, against Julia Mann of England, and the quarter-finals of the Welsh Open, 2001, against Kelly Morgan of Wales are amongst the best.

You were a favourite for the gold in the women's singles at Manchester. What happened?

I have played only two Commonwealth Games -- 1998 and 2002. In Manchester, the competition was a little tougher than in Kuala Lumpur. Prior to the Games, I did not hold any lofty expectations. I only wanted to go there and play my best. I always believe that if you play well, the results will follow. I thought I played rather well throughout the tournament up till the semi-finals against Tracy Hallam of England. Though people thought this would be an easy match for me, I knew Tracy was playing well. [Tracy was a bronze medallist at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, winner of 2001 Thailand Open, and is currently ranked No. 10 in the world). Anyway, somehow I just could not find my rhythm in that match and I lost [3-7, 3-7, 1-7]. However, I was happy that I could at least bring back a bronze medal.

What's your immediate focus for the future?

To do well on the European circuit and improve my international ranking.

At present your IBF world ranking in singles is 39. Your highest was 16, on September 2, 1999. As we scan your ranking graph, it begins to dip from April 2000 onwards.

It was obviously because I was banned for three months after testing positive for a banned stimulant present in a cold medication. It was a very trying time for me, but I'm glad I could get over it and achieve all that I have since then. As of now, I am happy with my present ranking and hope to improve it further.

What do you need to do to improve your ranking?

Just play more tournaments abroad and perform well.

How is your physical fitness? Any recent injuries and any niggling ones?

There is no end to fitness. So I will continue working on it. And fortunately there are no injuries.

What do you feel about the current crop of girls. Obviously, the likes of Jwala Gutta, Trupti Murgunde are fighting at your heels. You should be enjoying the rivalry. But is it enough?

I think we have a very talented crop of young players. But they will have to work much harder and be more focussed if they really want to reach their potential. As for rivalry, any good player thrives on it. The greater the rivalry, the more motivated you become to work, and the better you perform.

What percentage of your annual schedule carries foreign tournaments?

I should say about 80 per cent. This is mainly because there have been very few senior tournaments in India of late.

What have you gained so far from the exposure while playing in the European circuit?

I guess I have gained a lot of confidence and the knack to handle various complex situations that arise during a match. The competition is getting tougher, both on the Asian and European circuits. You can't take any opponent for granted. And you have to keep updating and modifying your game to keep pace with the international competition. I do not have any favourite tournament as such. I like the tournaments where I play well.

Is your short-build still a problem?

Let me put it this way: if I was a little taller and stronger, it would definitely be an advantage.

Areas you still feel you need to work on?

I need to work on my speed and a few technical aspects of the game.

What have been the high points of your career. And of course, the low points?

The high points have been the silver medal at the World Junior Championships, three Commonwealth medals, winning the French Open in 1998, representing India at the Sydney Olympics, and achieving an all-time best world ranking of 16.

The low point was being banned for three months in 2000.

Aparna Popat's Major achievements (till date)