India Open 2023: Feel like taking part in at house when in India, says Carolina Marin

Speaking in New Delhi on the eve of India Open 2023, Carolina Marin spoke about her battle with twin ACL accidents, her love for India and the endless need to win one other Olympic medal for Spain.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 17, 2023 00:00 IST

Carolina Marin at India Open 2023 launch (India Today Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: Carolina Marin loves taking part in in India. In truth, she feels at house when taking part in in entrance of packed stands in India. Marin is cherished as a lot as any Indian participant when she steps out on the court docket in the course of the Premier Badminton League match. She witnessed the assist first-hand when she got here to play India Open, months after profitable the Olympic gold medal in Rio.

She had crushed PV Sindhu and denied India a historic Gold medal on the Games however Marin was genuinely stunned by the welcome she had in New Delhi. Marin misplaced to Sindhu in a surprising conflict within the last of India Open in 2017.

6 years later, Marin shall be in motion within the India Open, which has now been elevated to Super 750 event. The variety of cameras that lined up in entrance of Marin when the Spanish star spoke at a press convention in New Delhi on Monday, January 16 advised the story.

“I was surprised when I came here after the finals of the Olympic final because I didn’t expect people to love me after I beat Sindhu. It’s like I take this gold medal from this country,” Marin advised the press on the eve of her first-round match.

“I feel like I am playing at home. Even though the crowd is Indian, they support me. I am looking forward to playing here.”

ACL INJURY HORROR

Marin has overcome career-threatening accidents, not one however two Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) blows within the final 2 years.

The former Olympic and world champion sustained an ACL harm in her proper knee in January 2019. Even when the Tokyo Games had been postponed, Marin was not in a position to defend her Olympic crown as she suffered one other ACL in June 2021, tearing each menisci in her left knee. The comeback in 2020 was cut-short and Marin was denied a ticket to Tokyo.

She was the reigning Olympic, world, and European champion earlier than the ACL accidents struck her.

Marin mentioned it was extraordinarily troublesome to coach with ache after two ACL accidents however the need to win one other Olympic medal has stored her going.

“Last year was really really tough. I was coming from an injury. No active badminton player is (still) playing after two serious injuries but I didn’t want to give up because I have something on my mind. I want to win another Olympic medal,” she added.

“It was tough physically but especially mentally. When you have to practice every day with pain, finally you have to accept it as otherwise it frustrates your mind.

“But now I really feel actually glad and cozy with myself as a result of, round December, I did not have any ache. So lastly I used to be in a position to do some good observe and put together for one complete month.”

NOT SCARED TO FACE ANYONE

Marin, who will open against Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara in India Open, said she is in good shape and will look to improve.

Notably, the Spaniard reached the quarter-final at Malaysia Open earlier this week. Marin defeated PV Sindhu in a 3-game battle before losing 18-21, 19-21 to Olympic champion Chen Yufei.

“I did efficiency final week. I had three good matches regardless that I misplaced in opposition to Chen Yufei. I’m prepared for this week.

“I am looking forward to competing against any player. I am not scared to face anyone. Now it’s just small things I have to improve upon. I have to keep going and improving. I am looking forward to this week.”

Published On:

Jan 17, 2023