Will get opportunity to compete with top ranked shuttlers: Ritika

Due to extended lockdown, after more than one year Ritika and her Mumbia partner Simra Singhi will be seen in action. Talking to Lokmat Times about her preparation Ritika who is a student of Robin Simon and Ajay Dayal said, “ We are prepared for next month's challenge. We both recently attended a two-month long special training camp at the Hyderabad-based Suchitra Badminton Academy where we played with many top shuttlers of the country under the watchful eyes of senior Indian and foreign coaches. Most importantly me and Simran played together after a long gap at Hyderabad. Overall the preparation is good”, she said.

Ritika said she is quite excited because after more than one year she will participate in any major tournament. “There is no nervousness. On the contrary I am very excited to prove my mettle. We both will try to deliver our best since we will compete against top ranked doubls pairs in the world”.

The Maharashtra government has announced 'Break The Chain' to curb the rising cases of Coronavirus. Asked whether the lockdown will not hamper her daily practice Ritika and partner Simran have got a direct entry in the prestigious tournament said, “ I already have good indoor practice at Hyderabad and now in lockdown, I will do fitness activities at my home “, she said.

Ritika said the competition will be tough as top players of the world like Kento Momota, Victor Alexsen, Carolina Marin, Akane Yamaguchi, apart from PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal will be participating in this week-long tournament.

This is for the third time that Ritika will participate in India Open.

The annual tourney, which could not be held in 2020 because of the pandemic, is a HSBC BWF World Tour Super 500 level tournament.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there would be no qualifying rounds this time around. Notably only these two girls from Maharashtra in the women’s section have got a chance to play this tournament because of their BWF rankings in the main draw. Ritika and Simran are ranked 103 in the world. Ritika is in the reserve list of the women’s singles.