'I think I played my best in Commonwealth Games but every player has ups and down in their lives.'
After the highs of the 2018 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, Manika Batra's career took a nosedive following the debacle at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham but the ace Indian paddler has vowed to make a strong return at the National Games before heading to the World Championships this month.
Batra was one of India's biggest stars in 2018, clinching four medals including the women's singles and team golds at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. She also went on to bag the mixed doubles bronze at the Asian Games later that year.
However at the Birmingham Games last month, she looked out of sorts and returned empty-handed.
"Of course, I was sad and upset when I lost my matches in the Commonwealth Games but I always tell myself this is not the end of the world," Batra, who is in Surat for the National Games, said.
"2018 was really an amazing year for me. This time, I played best before the CWG. I did really well in the World Tours, beat good players," the top-ranked Indian said.
"I think I played my best in Commonwealth Games but every player has ups and down in their lives. It's not finished for me just because I didn't get a medal at the Commonwealth Games," she added.
Batra said she has been working hard to rectify her mistakes.
"I have to keep working hard and bounce back. I have worked a lot on my mistakes and my coach has been my sparring partner. We have some big tournaments coming up and next year like the Asian Games."
The paddlers will be the first in action at the PDDU Indoor Stadium in Surat ahead of the National Games opening ceremony a week from now as they will be flying off to Chengdu for the World Championships from September 30.
At the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, the 27-year-old failed to defend her title in the women's singles as she was eliminated in the quarter-finals by the lower-ranked Jian Zeng of Singapore in straight games.
She also made quarter-final exits in the mixed doubles and women's doubles events. Defending its title, the Indian women's team, led by Batra, also bowed out in the last eight stage.
"I've started training after coming back to India. You should not think that 'abhi khatm ho gaya' (it has ended now), you should never give up and should train immediately and work on your mistakes."
"I'm pretty prepared mentally and physically after the CWG debacle. I've focused more on my mental strength which is really important when you are playing a big tournament. I will go there and give my 100 per cent," the Delhi paddler added.
The Indian TT contingent will leave for the Worlds on September 25 and Batra agreed that it would be hectic competing in back-to-back events.
"We have back-to-back tournaments, it will be tiring but I'm mentally prepared for the challenges."
Asked whether she's going to change her rubber -- the long pips that she uses, Batraa said: "I am never going to change my pimples (the bump on the rubber). Over time, you get used to it and I love it."
She further said the National Games would be a stiff competition for them with a lot of promising youngsters coming up.
"I value every competition, be it National Games, CWG, Asian Games or World Championships. I always give my best.
"I just want to enjoy every match here. I think that's very important to do well. We have a lot of promising youngsters coming up and hopefully it will be a memorable outing for me," Manika said.
