"You Have To Be Quick, But Not In A Hurry": Pullela Gopichand On How Lack Of 'Patience' Halted Treesa-Gayatri's World Championships Run

New Delhi, August 22: For Pullela Gopichand, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand's World Championships bronze medal was not simply the result of one outstanding week. It was the product of preparation, tactical discipline and the ability to handle the demands of playing at home on one of badminton's biggest stages.

The Indian pair's campaign ended in the semifinals against reigning world champions Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning, but Gopichand felt the result did little to diminish their overall performance. Having worked with the pair during the crucial weeks leading into the tournament, he saw clear evidence that their preparation had translated onto the court.

"I think they did well," Gopichand said. He also highlighted the importance of what happened away from the court. After their matches, recovery began almost immediately, with the pair focusing on food, rest and staying away from their phones. "All those basic hygiene things were done, and they prepared well," he added.

The coach also pointed to the natural strengths that make Treesa and Gayatri an effective combination. Both players possess reliable serves, while their attacking and defensive roles complement each other. Treesa's power is particularly valuable from the rear court, while Gayatri's ability at the net gives India another route to control rallies.

"Smash-wise, Treesa is very good; Gayatri is very strong at the net," Gopichand said.

That balance helped the pair produce a series of impressive performances throughout the BWF World Championships 2026. They defeated seeded opposition on their way to the semifinals, repeatedly showing that they could adjust their game against different styles.

But playing in front of a packed home crowd also brought a tactical challenge. The New Delhi venue allowed long rallies to develop, meaning points could not simply be won through rushed attacking strokes.

"You can't just get a point, you have to earn a point," Gopichand explained.

That became one of the central lessons of the tournament. For Treesa and Gayatri, patience was not about slowing down or becoming passive. It was about staying committed to their strategy while remaining sharp enough to attack when the opportunity appeared.

"You have to be quick, but not necessarily in a hurry," Gopichand said, describing the balance the pair needed to find.

The semifinal defeat showed how difficult that balance can be against the very best. Once the Chinese pair settled into their rhythm, India struggled to impose its preferred attacking patterns. Yet Gopichand believes those experiences will be valuable as the pair moves forward.

For the coach, the bronze medal is therefore both a reward and a starting point. Treesa and Gayatri have now experienced the pressure of a World Championships semifinal, defeated established opposition and learned what is required to sustain their level across an entire tournament.

With the Asian Games approaching, that experience could prove crucial. The medal has given the pair confidence, but Gopichand's message is clear: keep the aggression, sharpen the strategy and, above all, learn to be patient without losing speed.