Dipika relishes prospect of excelling at home

“For us, this is a great opportunity. We have not had a lot of tournaments in Chennai in the recent past and to have the championship back home feels great. This is the last tournament of the season for us and all of us are pumped up to do well,” Dipika said, ahead of a practice session at the Indian Squash Academy here. 

She said playing in front of family and peers doesn’t add any pressure. “It is nice to finally play in front of my grandparents and even my dad, who loves to come and watch me play. Our families don’t travel with us as it involves a lot of funding. So, the opportunity for them to watch us in action is when we come home. It is nice to look out for family and know they are watching you play. I like that feeling and fortunately for me, there is no added pressure. Like every other player, I want to do well and there are goals and expectations from the tournament,” she added. 

The tournament will be held in the Express Avenue Mall in the city and Dipika feels playing in a mall doesn’t affect her performance. “We are so engrossed in the game and we don’t know what happens outside. We are in the box and we don’t concentrate on what people are doing, what shops are around etc,” she said. 

“We are professional athletes and this is not the first time we are playing in a mall. We have played at the Hong Kong harbour, near the pyramids in Egypt, and we have also played in the same mall earlier. At that moment, we are trying to concentrate on every ball and our whole energy is on the squash court. So, our performance isn’t decided by the venue,” she explained. 

According to Dipika, India has a great chance of bagging the gold in the championship. “I am not lying when I say we can win gold in both categories. Indian squash is at a high right now. We have been playing very well. It is all about how we perform. I am looking forward to do well and take it each day as it comes. The key is to play good squash during the tournament and I am sure we can do well,” Dipika said. 

For Dipika, enjoying her game is of prime importance. “I believe in myself and enjoy my game. That’s what matters. I hope the results will follow,” she remarked.