India’s premier women’s doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa confirmed that they have decided to part ways.
Jwala informed Sportstar on Tuesday that the decision was taken even before the Rio Olympics since “we both felt that things are not going as well as we desired.”
Jwala said she may never play women's doubles again. “I am not sure whether I will be playing women’s doubles right now. I am only training in mixed doubles with Manu Attri and never know whether I will play women’s doubles again,” she said.
“It was not a difficult decision since it was on the cards. It is like a bad marriage which cannot continue,” she said with a big smile.
“I have had a good run with Ashwini and will for sure cherish some great moments on the court. I think the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold with her was the best and the World Championship bronze later on was another special moment in our partnership,” Jwala explained.
“I have nothing personal against her. In fact, we both discussed about this and agreed that the best option is to part ways,” the champion shuttler pointed out.
“Yes, women’s doubles never getting the due it deserved from the people who mattered even in badminton fraternity was also a big factor. Frustration levels were often too high for the way we have been treated indifferently over the years,” Jwala observed.
“As things stand, I have not taken a call on quitting the sport. I am still enjoying it and will keep playing till I get bored,” Jwala concluded.
For her part, Ashwini said that somewhere down the line the change had to come and that she was fine with the decision to part ways with Jwala.
“I think Jwala has had a great run in the circuit and may be playing in mixed doubles more now. But I am keen to play both women’s doubles (with Sikki Reddy) and mixed doubles (with Nandagopal),” she said.
“I won’t say it is a painful decision as such for we have had our share of success at the highest level. We have to move on. It is as simple as that,” she said.
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