Saina Nehwal eyes Superseries Final qualification after reuniting with Pullela Gopichand

New Delhi: Three years after arguably the biggest split in Indian badminton, London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal is back with coach Pullela Gopichand. 

Tweeting her decision to move back 'home' and train in Hyderabad, Saina said on Monday that she had been considering the idea for a while and decided to go ahead with it following a discussion with Gopichand, who is also the chief national coach.

Nehwal wants to qualify for the Dubai World Superseries Finals after resuming her partnership with Gopichand.

"I feel when we spoke things went very smoothly and there was no discussion of past. For now, we have buried our past differences. We are now only looking forward to the training," Saina, who won a bronze at World Championship, told PTI.

"I would like to start training first, the fire to win is there and I would definitely try my best. I'm keen to qualify for year-end Dubai Superseries Finals."

After spliting with Gopichand following a loss at the Copenhagen World Championship in 2014, Saina had said that her off-court planning was not fructifying as she was losing to top players such as China's Li Xuerui.

Saina said she has started playing in Hyderabad from yesterday, but because she has some pain in her leg, she will start full training from September 7.

"I am playing in hyderabad, but because I have some pain in my leg, I will start full training from September seven," said Saina, who is suffering from a slight thigh strain.

Asked if she was feeling homesick while training in Bengaluru with Vimal Kumar, Saina said, "It is not like that, but things will be much easier in Hyderabad for me."

Saina credited coach Vimal for being there when she needed him the most.

"Definitely, his hardwork has paid off in the last three years that Vimal sir has worked on me," she said.

Saina had moved to Prakash Padukone Academy here three years ago after 2014 World Championships.

Under the eyes of Vimal, she achieved the World No. 1 ranking in April 2015 and won a silver at the 2015 World Championship before suffering a knee injury ahead of Rio Olympics last year.

It was only the second time that an Indian had achieved the top ranking after Prakash Padukone achieved the feat in 1980.