Tanisha Crasto Pledges Ongoing Support to Ashwini Ponnappa
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New Delhi, Dec 11 (NationPress) Young Indian badminton player Tanisha Crasto has expressed her commitment to partnering with ace shuttler Ashwini Ponnappa for as long as the 35-year-old continues to compete in the sport. Recently, Tanisha and Ashwini successfully defended their women's doubles title at the Guwahati Masters Super 100 badminton tournament, marking their second event together following the Paris Olympics. The dynamic duo also reached the semifinals of the Syed Modi India International.
While Tanisha has a preference for mixed doubles, she is establishing a strong collaboration with Dhruv Kapila. The pair began competing together at the Syed Modi International at the end of last year, where they progressed to the semifinals again.
Discussing her future tournament plans with IANS, Tanisha remarked, "I’m just beginning with mixed doubles and not setting my expectations too high, especially since Dhruv recently suffered a significant ankle injury; he only returned in time for the Syed Modi. Thankfully, we've performed well, but I believe he requires more rest, so I’m not looking too far ahead."
"We are concentrating on the tournaments scheduled for January, as we have entries in the Super 1000, 750, and 500 events. These competitions will be crucial for us to earn valuable points and enhance our rankings. After that, we will focus on the All England tournament scheduled for March/April. That’s our plan for mixed doubles," she explained.
When asked about her relationship with Ashwini both on and off the court, Tanisha stated, "In women's doubles, I’m unsure when Ashwini Didi will play next, but I have assured her that I will continue partnering with her as long as she competes. We are not overly focused on results; rather, we plan to enjoy playing badminton together for fun."
"My partnership with her is fantastic and the best I’ve experienced so far. Throughout this year, we have learned a tremendous amount together, and I have gained invaluable insights from her as an individual. There’s no feeling of seniority between us; we hold equal respect for one another, despite her extensive experience in the sport," Tanisha added.
Ashwini competed in her third Olympics earlier this year, partnering with Tanisha in the women's doubles category.
Reflecting on her Olympic experience, the 21-year-old shuttler shared, "It was an incredible experience. I’m thrilled to have made it to the Olympics on my first attempt. Competing against higher-ranked players provided excellent exposure and will benefit us in future competitions."
"There was so much to learn. We understood the level of competition was intense, but we were fully prepared and enjoyed each match, giving our all on the court. We maximized our efforts and are pleased with our performance. Although we wished to advance further in the tournament, we are content with what we achieved," she concluded.
