When we speak of sports in our country, the first thing that comes to mind is cricket. Cricket is synonymous with sports/ entertainment in our country.

Though, fortunately, other sports are gradually being recognized. Though, sportspersons feel that there’s bias within the sports communities when it comes to the sub-division of the games.

Doubles Badminton player, Jwala Gutta, was recently on the news for contemplating retirement. We wondered what could be pushing her to make the decision, and so we got in touch with the player, to find out how she was feeling.

Me: How are you feeling?

Jwala: I’m okay.

Me: I heard you had a sore throat. Is it any better?

Jwala: Yeah, thanks a lot.

Me: You mentioned in a recent interview that you’re not motivated enough to play & might consider retirement. What nuances within the sport do you feel are discouraging you?

Jwala: Not that I’m discouraged by whatever is happening in the sport, it’s just that, I was never encouraged. Of course, my family, friends, near and dear ones have always stood by me in support. Though I won’t lie, I really never got the support from the Badminton Association of India.

They always tried to pull me down, and it got kind of tiring. Despite that, I’m glad that my fans appreciate me & call me the best Doubles Player in the country. Sometimes, I think that I deserve the credit where it’s due, though. I’ve performed at the highest level in the world, so I don’t think I should be questioned about my dedication.

I want to contribute to badminton. I want to see the growth in the sport, especially for doubles. That’s probably why retirement sounds like a good idea.

Me: You’ve played badminton for the country for 18 years now. If you had to pick the most glorious and bitter moment from your career, what would you single out?

Jwala: I think, the dearest moments have been the ones where I have won matches. I can’t really pick because, as a doubles player, every match was very special for me.

Though, the chief coach of our national team never supported me. Unfortunately, he repeatedly failed to acknowledge the efforts of the doubles players.

In fact, 2 days ago, in Delhi, he talked about the game, appreciated the singles players, but failed to mention the doubles players. When people can acknowledge & remember it, why does our chief coach forget about us?

I think it was deliberate, I always think it has been deliberate.

Me: One way in which your followers have always supported you & let you down.

Jwala: My fans have always been supportive, and I love them for it.

 I don’t think my fans have ever let me down. Every time I read negative comments, I only get inspired to work harder. I believe in constructive criticism, of course, had it not been for them, I don’t think I would’ve come this far.

Me: One struggle that made your will to be a successful badminton player even stronger.

Jwala: My family made my life easy. I think, though, that we did face an issue financially. We never had money that automatically creates problems. Though really, I wouldn’t call that a struggle because it was a learning process that paved a path for me.

Me: What would your message be for the women who are struggling with their careers after a sabbatical?

Jwala: Education and the power to learn are very helpful. My father always warned me that badminton should only be a part of my life. He would say, “You should know how you want your life to be after badminton.”

Women, please have an open mind, and educate yourselves. It doesn’t matter if you’re on a sabbatical or not, everyone bows down in front of a person who is wise.

Me: You wish to become an administrator for the Badminton Association of India. What changes do you think you’ll be able to bring?

Jwala: We lack in promoting the team. Promoting is not just about popularizing the sport. We need to bring in corporate support.

The entire game has just come down to one center in Hyderabad. We’re a population of 1.3 Billion, and yet, we only have only one national level center in the country. Is that fair?

Me: What should be done to promote doubles and attract more fan base?

Jwala: Right now the singles and the doubles go together. Doubles should be treated as a separate entity. I think that the number of tournaments should increase; corporate players should come in to support the neglected doubles teams.

Me: We were stalking you on Instagram! Your recent post says that you like dangers, and prefer not playing safe…

Jwala: Everyone wants to play safe! I don’t think playing safe, and not taking any risks will help you! Being a sportsperson of the country, it’s our moral responsibility towards the people who look up to us.

Gimme Danger ? Great things never comes by playing safe ?

7,161 Likes, 40 Comments – Jwala Gutta (@jwalagutta1) on Instagram: “Gimme Danger ? Great things never comes by playing safe ?”

Me: Tell me about your little dog we saw on Instagram.

Jwala: We named him Yuri after the Russian Astronaut, Yuri Gagarin Yuri is very naughty, destructive, chews on almost everything. Though, he’s sleeping in front of me, right now. He’s my son, and whenever someone has to complain about him, they say, “Tumhare bête ne aisa kara.”

Doesn’t want to fetch anymore Prefers football ?

1,241 Likes, 5 Comments – Jwala Gutta (@jwalagutta1) on Instagram: “Doesn’t want to fetch anymore Prefers football ?”

Me: Haha. Does he work out with you, too?

Jwala: Honestly, right now I’m too lazy to work out! I’m staying home, vacationing with my family after a very long time. In the past 18 years, I’ve hardly been home. Though, yes, I eat healthily, drink a lot of water, and coconut water, every day. The workout is vacationing, too.

Me: Do you have any lucky charms you live by during the matches?

Jwala: I’m a very non-superstitious person. So, none at all!

Me: One man in your life who continues to be an inspiration for you?

Jwala: My father. He will always be number one for me. Even though we weren’t too sound financially back in those days, he never stopped us from pursuing whatever we wanted & in fact, inspired us to do more.

My father really means the world to me.

Me: You’re home for the summer. Tell us what else you’re eating apart from the mango pickle on your Instagram page!

Avakai pachadi #summerspecial #mangopickle

4,870 Likes, 66 Comments – Jwala Gutta (@jwalagutta1) on Instagram: “Avakai pachadi #summerspecial #mangopickle”

Jwala: Haha, I only got a bite of the pickle! I avoid spicy food under all conditions. Though summers and mangoes go hand in hand, really! We have a mango farm that gives us sweet and delicious mangoes. For now, I’m only concentrating on it.

Doubles Badminton player, Jwala Gutta is still contemplating retirement, but there’s a lot she wants to do for her badminton fraternity. Let’s see where the 18 years of experience takes the woman.