Unnati Hooda Attributes Her Badminton Success to Her Father and Coach, Upkar Hooda

Unnati Hooda, an emerging talent in Indian badminton, attributes her swift rise in the sport to the unwavering support of her father and coach, Upkar Hooda. Upkar, a former university-level player, made the significant decision to leave his government job to dedicate himself to training Unnati full-time. This commitment has been instrumental as she competes in her first BWF World Championships, where he continues to guide her from the sidelines.

Currently honing her skills at the Chhotu Ram Stadium Badminton Academy in Rohtak under the guidance of coach Parvesh Kumar, Unnati acknowledges her father's sacrifices. "I'm not forced into badminton. Of course, definitely there is a massive contribution from my family and my dad. He quit his job as well. I cannot express in words how much he has contributed to me, but I am really thankful for my supportive family," she shared with PTI following her first-round victory against Myanmar's Thet Htar Thuzar, with scores of 22-20, 21-16.

Unnati is set to face 13th seed Michelle Li from Canada in her next match. She expressed gratitude towards the Reliance Foundation for their support throughout her journey over the past three years. Reflecting on her match, she noted, "That was my father sitting in the dugout with me. Right now, I train with him." The 18-year-old from Rohtak remains unfazed by the high-stakes environment of the championships, drawing inspiration from fellow Indian player Ayush Shetty's recent upset victory over world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi.

"This is a very special moment for me at my first World Championships. I just want to focus on my game and give my all, 100 percent, and enjoy the match," Unnati stated. She emphasized the importance of self-belief, saying, "On the court, it’s one versus one, and anyone can win or lose. Just believe in yourself." Unnati also highlighted the significance of patience in her gameplay, especially under challenging conditions.

"Being really patient is crucial. I kept that in mind during my match today, especially in the latter half of the court set, and it really helped me maintain my composure," she explained. Unnati acknowledged the difficulties posed by drift conditions but expressed confidence in her ability to judge the trajectory of the shuttlecock. "It's not that difficult to determine if it's going out or in," she concluded, showcasing her determination and focus as she prepares for the challenges ahead.