'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What’s the story?
Reigning Olympic champion Carolina Marin has recently talked about her need to make a new strategy every time she faces India’s Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu. While appreciating both of them in an interaction with The Times of India, the former World No. 1 pointed out that Saina and Sindhu are different kinds of players and hence, the requirement for separate tactics to tackle them.
“They are different types of players and I have to make new strategy each and every time I play against them,” the two-time world champion said.
In case you didn’t know
Marin has a winning head-to-head record of 6-4 over PV Sindhu, with their last meeting happening at the 2017 Singapore Open where the Spaniard won in straight games. Marin and Sindhu played their biggest match at the Rio Olympics last year, which the southpaw won in three thrilling games.
On the other hand, Marin has a losing record of 4-5 against Saina Nehwal. The Indian got the better of the European champion in their last face-off in the first round of the 2017 Denmark Open.
The heart of the matter
Marin, who is in India for the third season of the Premier Badminton League (PBL), is the icon player for the Hyderabad Hunters. Her fondness for India and Indian fans has been well-known. The 24-year-old, who likes to call India her ‘second home’, admitted that people in India make her feel at home. She is also grateful for the immense support she gets from this country.
“People give me the chance here to feel at home. Also I like the fans of the game here and there are quite a lot of followers here. Many people support me and I appreciate their support. So that really makes me feel at home in India,” she said.
What’s next?
Marin’s team made a great start to their PBL 2018 campaign and prevailed over the North Eastern Warriors, 5-2. The Hunters play their next match against the Ahmedabad Smash Masters on December 29.
Author’s take
Marin has the biggest fan following in India right after the Indian shuttle stars. It’s nice to see the Spaniard reciprocating the love and appreciation she has got from India.
