Pullela Gopichand Commends Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand for Their Remarkable Performance at the World Championships

Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly may not have reached the finals of the World Championships, but their remarkable journey has secured a historic medal for Indian badminton in women's doubles, instilling a newfound confidence in the duo. The pair's impressive campaign concluded with a hard-fought match against the world’s top-ranked team, Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning, resulting in a score of 21-18, 13-21, 8-21 in the semi-finals. This achievement marks the first time since 2011 that India has earned a medal in women's doubles at the BWF World Championships, when Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa took home bronze in London.

The medal places Gayatri and Treesa among a select group of Indian athletes who have reached the podium at the World Championships, highlighting a significant milestone in the sport's history in the country. Their performance has not only brought pride to their supporters but has also set a benchmark for future generations of badminton players in India.

In an exclusive interview, Pullela Gopichand, the chief coach and former player, who also happens to be Gayatri's father, expressed his pride in their accomplishments. "I feel proud in both roles—father and coach. On the court, I am focused as a coach, but outside, I am just a proud father. Both Treesa and Gayatri have made us proud with their efforts. Although I would have loved to see them in the finals, their performance against top players has been commendable," he stated.

Gopichand also shared his insights on the potential of the Indian badminton team in the upcoming Asian Games. He emphasized the strength of the squad, which includes notable players like Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, HS Prannoy, and Kidambi Srikanth, alongside a formidable doubles team featuring Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. On the women's side, he highlighted the talents of PV Sindhu, Gayatri, Treesa, and promising young players like Tanvi Sharma. "I am optimistic about our performance at the Asian Games. The team is strong, and I believe we will achieve great results," he concluded.