Interview with Joshna Chinappa: "Winning the Chennai Open was a very special feeling"

Joshna Chinappa

Ever since winning the senior National squash championship in 2004, making her the youngest ever women’s national champion, Joshna Chinappa has been at the forefront of India’s charge in the world of women’s squash.

2014 produced some massive highs for Joshna. She teamed up with Dipika Pallikal to claim gold in the doubles at the Commonwealth Games and also attained a career-high ranking of 19.

She also claimed the Winnipeg Winter Open trophy. Back from playing at the HKFC International in Hong Kong recently, Joshna caught up with Sportskeeda for a brief chat.

You have been extremely successful at the National championships over the last decade and more. Which has been the most memorable win for you?

My most memorable nationals was when I was 14 and I won the women's title for the first time.

What was it that made you choose squash as a youngster over other sports?

I played tennis, squash and badminton equally while I was growing up. But since my dad was a squash player too, I naturally took to squash and continued playing it.

You won India's first gold at the Commonwealth Games along with Dipika Pallikal. Talk us through that historic win.

Dipika and I both knew we had a great chance to win a medal. We had a tough semifinal against Australia which we were lucky to get through. For the finals, we were both more confident and knew we could win the gold. We were happy we pulled through.

How do you strategize before an important match? How is it that you like to prepare?

I only talk to my psychologist before and after a match. I get into my element by not really communicating with any friend or family for the duration of the tournament.

How has sports analytics helped you guys out in the last few years, on both a personal level, as well as for the sport overall?

It’s always beneficial to be able to go back and watch how you have played a match. The good ones to reinforce and the bad ones to learn and not repeat them and improve further either technically or physically.

You and Dipika have known each other for a long time. How do you approach things when you have to play in singles competition against her?

We both obviously want to win and that’s with anyone I play against. Yes it's always harder playing your roommate and teammate especially. But we are professionals and just want to do our job to the best.

You won a hard-fought title at the Winnipeg Winter Open last year. You edged out Heba El Torky in a tight finish. What was the feeling like when you finally got the win?

My first Professional title was in 2008 in Malaysia. When I won in Winnipeg it was my 8th title. Winning in Winnipeg was nice because I was 3 match balls down. So to win from there was a good win.

Winning the Chennai Open in 2012 in your hometown must have been a special feeling. Tell us a bit more about that win.

I had always lost at the Chennai Open either in the semis or finals. When I won the Chennai Open, it was after my ACL injury where I was out for 9 months from the tour. So it was very special to me to come back and win it.

Nicol David has been World No. 1 for a long time now. What is it like facing off against her? What makes her so successful?

Nicol is an extremely tough and hardworking competitor. She’s got to where she has because she has a great team of coaches, physio, psychologist, advanced fitness trainers and the backing of her Malaysian government which has given her everything she’s needed from the time she was 10 years old! That's what every athlete needs to get to that level and stay there.

If we were to ask you to name the best win of your career so far, what would it be?

Honestly I don't have a best win. It's still yet to come, but everything else has been important to me too as I have worked hard for those victories too.

How has the Indian Squash Academy aided you in your success?

The academy is a place I have trained at on and off for years whenever I am in Chennai. I always have great match practice there with the boys. I get on court sessions with coach Kali Muthu which helps me a lot too.

What are your thoughts on Squash not being an Olympic sport yet?

Squash is now short listed for the 2020 Olympics at Tokyo. So hopefully it will be a very successful bid to get squash in. We deserve to be there.

What are your goals for the remainder of the year building on the hugely successful year for Indian squash in 2014?

To remain injury free and get fitter and stronger.

(Joshana will next be playing at the Senior Nationals in Trivandrum between 9-12 July before flying to Australia for the Victorian and Australian Opens in July-August)

(Joshana is currently sponsored by TDPS & Amaranta Entertainment)