“We hope to give you more reasons to celebrate in Japan”: Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand after World Championship high

In an exclusive conversation with RevSportz Editor-in-Chief Boria Majumdar, World Championship bronze medallists Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand opened up about life after their historic success at the BWF World Championship, their preparations for the Asian Games and the expectations that come with representing India on a big stage.

The duo also spoke about their team-event experience, changes in their game, handling pressure, staying fit and the absence of a Games Village in Japan.

Boria: The whole country celebrated your World Championship medal. Has that added pressure?

Gayatri: I think not much has changed after the World Championships. We got to celebrate for a bit and then the Asian Games is coming up, so we’re just back to practice and it’s been going well. I’m super happy with the medal I got.

Boria: So what was the celebration like?

Gayatri: I think it was just family and friends. We were just trying to go for a lunch or dinner, that’s about it.

Boria: Ashok spoke to your father and they were very, very happy. Has it settled down now that you’re World Championship medallists?

Treesa: Really happy with the medal and it was all a dream come true. Right now, we are practising for the Asian Games.

Boria: How is the Asian Games preparation going?

Gayatri: I think it’s been great. A few mistakes or tactics that we weren’t implementing in the World Championships, I think we’re preparing more for that. The practice has been great. I think we’re consistent with it.

The Asian Games is super important for both of us. We’re just looking forward to the team event first and then the individuals. We’re there for a good 10-15 days, so I think just to be consistent and take care of your body is going to be most important.

Boria: Treesa, does playing the Asian Games team event feel different?

Treesa: Yeah, definitely. The team championship feels a little bit different. The team is with us, around us. We just enjoy, we make fun, kind of things, we play. As a team, we just spend more time.

And being on court, behind there is a big support. I think as a team, everyone wants to win and I think that really makes a big difference while playing also. I think it will make a big impact in the team championship. We have done well in the team championship the first time, making a big upset. I think that is because of the team spirit and everything.

Boria: You (Gayatri) nodded when I said team. Your thoughts on playing for India together as a team?

Gayatri: That’s my favourite part. I think team championships are the most amazing moments in badminton itself.

Boria: Why do you say so? You won a World Championship medal.

Gayatri: No, I mean World Championships, of course. But that is why I think everyone just puts their differences aside, comes together and supports each other, is there for each other. And you get to spend so much time with the whole team. I think it’s just a whole different feeling.

Boria: How do you handle the pressure of the Asian Games?

Treesa: I think definitely Asian Games, it’s coming four years from now. So obviously there is pressure. But we have to keep aside that pressure and we need to give our best. When you give your 100 per cent, actually you can take those kind of pressures. You need to keep your head and just be calm and play your game. I think that’s a major thing.

Boria: Gayatri, has the World Championship given you that extra confidence that you can beat anyone?

Gayatri: All the matches were pretty challenging. I think even in the Philippines Challenge, all the guys were amazing. From the first round, I think everyone was pretty up there in tactics.

I think after the Philippines, we got a lot of boost and confidence, like we could do something in the World Championships. Even in the World Championships, from the first round, I think everyone was really good.

Even Lauren and Allison, in that match I felt there were one or two points where anything could happen. So I think to pull those matches out gave us a lot of confidence because everyone’s working incredibly hard. So, those matches gave us great confidence.

Boria: Gopi was telling me that he’s made some changes. He said, you know, we’ve worked with them and we’ve made some changes in their game. Treesa’s net play, Gayatri’s backcourt play. These things are working really, really well for them. Can you give me a little bit more insight into that?

Treesa: I think after the matches, I have got a lot of compliments that they have never seen me play [like that] in front of the court, because I was really not comfortable just playing on the net. I think this time, the practice made me keep that confidence to just charge and go on the net and play.

I think that gave me more challenges for the opponents to play. Those kind of changes made a big difference.

Boria: On court, what’s the talk? I’ve always found it intriguing. Is it only about, okay, let’s keep going? Or do you plan a strategy which you change with your coaches? How does it happen in a critical moment?

Gayatri: Sometimes the coaches definitely give us advice. Other than that, just not get too excited when we’re winning points. It just gets very exciting. You can do crazy things at that time.

At that time, I just think we should calm down. That’s all we talk about. Nothing too extreme. I think a lot of the times, we’re leading and then suddenly it’s 5-5. So I think we just stay steady.

Boria: Treesa, when I see your World Championship medal and see Satwik and Chirag winning the China Open, all of a sudden I feel that something good is going to happen in Indian badminton. The vibe becomes positive. Do you agree with that? All of a sudden, this medal, title, and it becomes kind of, yes, we can do it.

Treesa: Definitely, I think it’s a confidence booster for even going for Asian Games. When we say we’ve made the [Philippines International] Challenge, it’s a Challenge [second-tier event], but when we won that tournament, it gave us a confidence booster.

Definitely the kind of mindset we have going for Asian Games is very crucial.

Boria: During a tournament which is as long as two weeks, first the team event and then the individual, you have to sustain your intensity for that period. Physically, you both have come through injury. So, are you 100 per cent going into Japan? Is everything okay on that front, physically, both of you?

Gayatri: I mean, yeah, definitely a few niggles. Injuries are a part of an athlete’s life. I think when we’re going for a tournament, we’re going to be away for two weeks or more, I think.

And just still be steady with workouts. Just not too much, not too less. Just doing something every day, I think, would help us a lot.

Boria: Treesa, you all travel so much. A different time zone, a different culture, food. This time, there’s no village. So people will either be in hotels or cruise ships or apartments. Do you find that as a problem?

Treesa: Definitely, everyone has their job. We don’t have to face that kind of situation. But the thing is that we should manage. The important thing is we should get the results, so we should manage. We just need to adapt to those situations.

Boria: I asked Gopi this. This time, there’s no Games Village. But imagine a 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi getting the chance to go up to Pullela Gopichand and talk about pressure. For me, that’s what these multi-sport Games are about.

Suppose Neeraj Chopra was there and you could sit with him and talk about pressure, or go up to Harmanpreet Singh in hockey and have that conversation. Is that something that you’ll look forward to in the opening ceremony? Staying together in the same hotel? Does that kind of appeal to you?

Gayatri: Yes, we were really upset when we found out that there’s no village this time. I mean, last time in China, I think the vibe was so amazing. You get to meet players. You get to see their training. You get to interact with them. And people from other sports.

Boria: I mean, imagine an Olympic Games. You are with Novak Djokovic in the same village, in the same dining hall. I mean, people would give an arm and a leg, right? These are real heroes. That’s why I asked this question.

Gayatri: I think it would have just been amazing to interact with all of them, just to understand how their career has been and just to get some insights about their career.

Boria: I mean, on the other side, Sunelita Toppo coming to our Treesa Jolly and saying, come on, you won a World Championship. Tell me how you did it. So, you want to be on the other side now. You’re a champion, right? I mean, you will tell our hockey girls how to do it. That would be a moment for me.

Gayatri: That’s good motivation. It’s crazy.

Treesa: My motivation is that motivate yourself, then you can motivate others. That kind of agenda I have.

Boria: But seriously, it would be great because the hockey girls did so well in the World Championship. In 52 years, the best performance. They’re going for gold in Japan. If they win, they qualify for the Olympics. So for them, it’s a massive moment if they’re able to win gold. Maybe the two of you can guide them.

Last comments. To fans. Again, everybody will watch. When they watch you, anything that you want to say?

Treesa: I think fans, just like you supporting us, we need your support every time and everywhere. Thank you, thank you for everything.

Gayatri: What I saw in the World Championships, I think it was amazing. You just keep supporting us, keep cheering for us. We hope to give you more reasons to celebrate in Japan.

Boria: So there you go. Two of our absolute champions. Love them for what they do. They are so inspirational, like my daughters. Tremendous champions that India has produced. And hopefully, in Japan, they’ll give us many more fond memories.

(Transcribed by Amrin Siddique)

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