New Delhi: After her defeat in the quarterfinals of Saudi Smash, India’s star tennis player Manika Batra said on her defeat against Japan’s Hina Hayata that she was more stable than me during the match and this is the reason which proved. Be a better player that day. Manika recently participated in Saudi Smash 2024 in Istanbul, Türkiye. The veteran player started his campaign with a 3-0 (11-6, 13-11, 11-8) win over Romanian Andrea Dragoman. In the second round, she defeated world number two Wang Manyu of China 3-1 (6-11, 11-5, 11-7, 12-10), followed by defeating Germany’s Nina Mittelheim (11) 3-1. Defeated by -0. -6, 11-9, 11-7) in the round of 16. However, in the quarterfinals, Batra succumbed to Japan’s Hina Hayata and lost the game 4–1 (11–7, 6–11, 4–11). ,11-13, 2-11). This match lasted for 39 minutes. Batra said she was really happy with her performance from the first game against Dragoman at the Saudi Smash till the last game of her campaign, where she lost to Hina in the quarter-finals. “Saudi Smash is a big tournament in table tennis. Reaching the quarterfinals, I wouldn’t say very good, but yes good thing for me. I’m really happy with the way I played in this tournament, but definitely satisfied. Not because I wanted to do more. But yes, from the first day in this tournament I am really happy with my first match against Hina Hayata and I am proud that I played my best game in this tournament and in this Saudi Smash. The way I trained before was intense which helped me reach here,” Batra told ANI. The player further talked about their quarterfinal encounter where he praised the Japanese player for remaining composed throughout the match. “I think the first game with Hina was going really well. I won the first game against her. But I think at the end of the day, I think it was a good game. After that, she won more than me. I could see her stability. But you know how the fighting spirit was from my first round, but if you compare with Hina, there was a little lack of stability, but yes, I have to work on these few areas. I will continue and I have learned a lot from Hina. I have learned a lot from this tournament and I will work on these areas,” the great table tennis player stressed. Batra expressed his views on his mixed doubles partner Sathiyan Gnanasekaran’s statement that the upcoming Paris 2024 will be the best for the Indian TT. “I hope that happens because we are all working hard, whether it is the men’s team or the women’s team. As you have seen from the last few tournaments, everyone is performing very well. Giving our best to reach the level and perform well in the Olympics, so I think if we play it is confidence, belief and faith, so yes, our aim is definitely to win a medal for our country. For that and we give our 100% in the Olympics,” said the 28-year-old. “We have a really good bonding. If you see, we have a good partnership. But unfortunately, we could not qualify this time. But definitely, if we play in the future, we will Will give my best for my country.” Cup bronze medalist in mixed doubles partnering Sathiyan Gnanasekaran. The Indian player said that he is really happy because everyone is supporting him and Team India. “I think the support I and all of us are getting is huge, be it the government, sports authorities, Topps Federation or other support systems for me, Indian Oil is there, Reliance is there and IOS is there So I think Adidas is there, so I think we support the players and because they just want to focus on their games and training and tournaments, I think personally it’s really helping me. And I am really happy that everyone is there for me and Team India and supporting us,” the Commonwealth gold medalist said. Finally, the 28-year-old player talked about his relationship with coach Aman Balgu. He said that Coach Balagu keeps motivating him after every game and also during training sessions. “Yes, we are really bonding well. We understand each other a lot. He has been helping me during my tournaments. He is a player and he knows how to deal with every situation, whether I Win or lose, he keeps motivating.” I’m going really well after every match and in my training sessions and you know, I’m really happy with everything that’s going on right now, so I’m really happy with that and really confident that I’m good. Can perform. In the future if I will be with him, okay, it was nice talking to you and good luck with your future projects and the Paris Olympics.
Manika Batra after defeat against Japanese player in Saudi Smash 2024 quarterfinals
