CHENNAI: For those who hurried to write her career epitaph, Joshna Chinappa served in a pointer that her career hasn’t plateaued. A dodgy knee, operated upon, stole seven months of her career, but she has seen through that exacting phase and if her demonstration in the Asian C’ship was any indication, it won’t be long before she retread the lost paces of her progress. The injury, and the subsequent lay-off, hasn’t withered her passion or weathered her hunger for success. Such was her fervour that she flew from Kuwait, the theatre of their surreal triumph, straight to Manchester, reacquainting with the gruelling sessions at the Malcolm Willstrop Academy. The euphoria may not have sunk in as yet — she confesses she took time to fully absorb the reality — but the 25-year-old realises the significance to sustain and possibly stretch the form she has kindled. Excerpts from an interview:
On her injury & return
I suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear last August and returned home for surgery. The rehabilitation period was naturally tough and that was the real challenge for me. But physio Ahmed and I worked really hard but I didn’t try to hasten the comeback. Ritwik (Bhattacharya), too, helped me a great deal and I recovered earlier than I had expected. My first tournament was very crucial, especially in terms of my fitness, and I participated in the Buler Challenge (April). I lost to the top seed (Rachel Grinham) in the quarterfinals but I slowly felt myself regaining my rhythm and was quite satisfied with my progress.
On the Asian C’ship win
I was confident of doing well. The good thing was there wasn’t much pressure on me and I was only too happy to be out there and playing so the pressure of competition never entered my mind. Beating Delia Arnold (semifinal vs Malaysia) was a confidence booster as she is quality player, whom I had never beaten in our three previous meetings.
On strategy for the final
I told myself that I would play my natural game and try not to concede any easy point to my opponent (Joey Chan). I have never played her before though I have seen her. And she was coming back straight after winning the Buler Open, in which she beat Rachel, who had beaten me in the quarterfinal. I knew it was going to be a tough match but I told myself that I won’t be affected. I focussed on my game and saving points. I am delighted that I was able to hold through. It certainly is one of the sweetest moments of my career.
On the season ahead
My knee is still not 100 percent. So I will work on it and see to that I am back to my full fitness at least by the end of this year. As I have said before I am not hurrying anything but I’m looking to play as much as possible. I have never been bothered about my rankings. My ranking dropped as I couldn’t play and defend points. The more I play and win, my ranking will obviously improve. Presently, I am focussing on the British Open that starts next week.
