Gopichand eyes the Grand Prix now

Gopichand eyes the Grand Prix now
MICKY AIGNER

PUNE, MARCH 12: The newly-crowned All-England champion Pulella Gopichand’s weekend has been hectic. He has had no time to let the joy of winning, what is unofficially considered, the world championship crown sink in, let alone relish it.

The telephone has not stopped ringing. He is being hounded by the media, his friends, fans and well wishers alike. ‘Hectic,’ comes the modest reply from the 27-year-old when asked how life has been since the victory.

Ironically, despite the barrage of phone calls, the champ has not been able to communicate his happiness to the two people who matter the most: his parents. Gopi’s been desperately trying to get through to them in Chennai. ‘‘I have been trying to call them up, but without success,’’ he says.

He spoke in an exclusive interview to The Indian Express from Room 822 of Chamberlain Hotel, Birmingham, a couple of hours after India’s finest moment in badminton history in over two decades, an encore of Prakash Padukone’s victory at the All-England championship in 1980.

Call it coincidence, but Padukone who won the All-England title in 1980, was the first to contact Gopi from overseas. ‘‘Great! You did well. Really well,’’ those were Prakash Sir’s words,’’ says the four-time national champion, who is looking forward to returning home today.

With the Grand Prix final next on his agenda, Gopi is eagerly waiting to return to training on top priority.

Excerpts from the telephonic interview:
Whom would you attribute this victory to?
Too many, actually. Family, coaches, team members, practice partners and most of all Dr. Ashok Rajgopal of Delhi, who performed surgery on my twisted-knee that got me back on track.

Did you expect to win? And the final...
Hmmm..Yes. I had a new plan. And more important, I was very confident all through. The final. Well, I had beaten him (Chen Hong) three/ four years back in the German Open in three games. Such a result helps psychologically before any encounter.

Did you have any particular strategy all through?
Nothing particular. I was taking one match at a time. I was dead-focused. The only thing in my mind was ‘to win’ and ‘only to win.’

It paid off. Having planned to play three tournaments (All-England, Grand Prix finals and the World Championship) this year, I had to do well to remain among the top-10. So far so good.

Was the All-England a target?
Of course! Every badminton player dreams of that. It’s prestigious. And more so something to be proud of.

The turning point in the tournament?
(Hesitating) Peter Gade (Denmark). But then, at this level, the best come and play their best. So every match won brings you face to face with an ‘‘equally good’’ player.

What was your feeling before the final? Any butterflies?
(Jovially) A bit tense and restless when I got up in the morning. I wished to play immediately. As the day went by it seeped in. Once on court, a feeling of confidence permeated my whole being.

A dream moment. Wasn’t it?
No doubt. This is the stuff of dreams. To be the best in the world. To be better than the Chinese, the Indonesians and the Danes. And that too in a big event like the All-England. ‘‘It is possible to achieve’’ has been my attitude since the beginning. Results come automatically.

The English spectators, how did they react?
They were quite supportive. In fact, they wanted me to win. And there was a group of about 50 Indians. They egged me on all through the final. That was heartening.

You are the focus of attention now. What’s your message for Indians?
Well, I hope this victory brings happiness to people back home, particularly in the wake of the Gujarat earthquake.