Date: May 19, 2016.Match: India vs Thailand - 2016 Uber Cup quarterfinalVenue: Kunshan Sports Complex, China.
The day started off on a disappointing note for the Indians as Saina Nehwal could not give the ideal start, everyone had hoped for. World No. 2 Ratchanok Intanon quite convincingly beat the Indian number one 21-12, 21-19 and gave Thailand a 1-0 lead.
It was the turn of World No. 10 PV Sindhu to bring India back into the game and she didn't disappoint as the Hyderabadi scalped Busnan Ongbumrungphan 21-18, 21-7. to make it 1-1 in the five-match encounter.
After India's most experienced doubles pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and Jwala Gutta made it 2-1 for India, it was time for the 19-year-old Ruthvika Shivani Gadde to take the centre stage.
The next big thing for Indian badminton, who has been making rapid strides in the circuit was up against World No. 25 Nitchaon Jindapol who has been nearly unbeatable in the past few months.
What happened next was unimaginable
At a high-octane match played at the Kunshan Sports Complex, the World No.113 Ruthvika played some punishing rallies and eventually closed out the game in two sets to register a 21-18, 21-16 victory, thus handing a medal at the Uber Cup for the second time in a row.
Reacting to her performance in an exclusive interview to Sportskeeda, she recalled, "Representing your country is an honour that comes with great responsibility and I’m glad we came out on top. I was nervous going into the game but I took it one step at a time and the result has taken care of itself."
Ruthvika, under the vigilant eyes of Madhumita Bisht and Pullela Gopichand, started off aggressively and pocketed the first game, even after conceding 10 straight points.
Confidence, good court sense, and attitude
This was one of her best performance till date and the tall, lanky shuttler from Vijayawada rightly believe so.
"To be part of the Indian contingent that boasts of the likes of Saina Nehwal, Ashwini Ponnappa, Jwala Gutta is humbling. Playing an important role in a nation’s victory has to rank really high in terms of its importance," she added.
In the previous tie against Japan, Ruthvika squandered a 2-1 lead for India to go down in 30 minutes against Sayaka Sato. But it was important for Ruthvika to leave that tie behind and focus on the all-important crucial quarterfinal and she did exactly that.
Shivani, who donned the Indian colours representing the junior teams and also in senior teams said, "My coach, Gopichand Sir spoke to me about body language and fighting spirit. Even during the game, I was nervous but my coach calmed me down and just asked me to enjoy the game as much I can. It paid off in the end."
The second teenager after PV Sindhu to graduate to the senior international level is deft with her all-round game. She has style, she has strokes and moves confidently around the court too.
Badminton: From a fun sport to passion
"My father was fond of badminton and would often go playing with his friends. I started to tag along with him and he noticed that I took to the sport with keen interest," she said.
Soon Ruthvika was pushed to attend a summer camp and one thing led to another after that.
"It’s of course been a tough journey considering the level of competition is high and you have to push yourself, each day. But with my family’s support, training at the Gopichand Academy and GoSports Foundation’s assistance, I have been able to progress well in my badminton career," added the gold-medalist of the 2016 South Asian Games.
The Telangana lass is the youngest member of the Indian contingent, and the support she receives from her teammates is overwhelming.
She said, "Everybody comes forward to aid your progress to help you do better. Training each day with the contingent is a learning. Like I said, the Indian contingent is phenomenally talented and to be part of it is an indescribable feeling."
Long way to go at the senior level but she has already made a mark
Shivani, who picked up the racquet at the tender age of seven is supported by GoSports Foundation and the organization has been helping her in the singular motto of reaching the pinnacle of international women’s badminton.she
"I feel wonderful that they believe in my potential to be among the world’s best athletes, and are doing their bit to help me get there," said the student of St. Ann Degree College, Mehdipatnam.
She is just 19 and just produced a stellar performance at the recently-concluded Uber Cup. Her on-court temperament, wide range of strokes and confidence have shown that she has the mettle to achieve that.
With more opportunities coming her way, Ruthvika Shiva Gadde has the potential to emerge as a quality shuttler.
