Indian doubles players' reading of the game not very good: Joachim Fischer Nielsen

Joachim Fischer Nielsen, the Danish badminton star, has said that Indian doubles players will be helped tremendously by Danish coaches as the Indian pairs are having trouble reading the game and are therefore struggling tactically.

Fischer, an accomplished doubles player with multiple Superseries titles to his name, heaped praise on India’s singles players, but said that the doubles players needed a new influx of knowledge to make progress.

“India should be proud of having such strong singles players. India won Olympics and world championship medals. It is very difficult to win those medals. For Denmark, we are powerhouse in Europe but it is very difficult in Asia,” said Fisher, who along with his partner Christinna Pedersen, won bronze at the London Olympic Games in 2012 in mixed doubles.

“If I have to be honest, you need Danish coaches. It seems that your doubles is not reading the game good enough. That is my opinion and I think they need new knowledge, they need to change something because it is not working for them right now. I think they are struggling with tactics and reading the game,” he said.

At 35, Fischer is not fixed yet on competing at the Rio Olympics in 2016, and said that he will take a call on that post the World Championships in Copehagen later this year.

“My main target is to win in World championship. The Chinese are very tough but we would try to beat everybody. That is our target. Me and my partner have won bronze medals at the Olympics and World championships back in India, so we will try our best,” he said.

“Olympics is definitely a goal but I think I will take a decision after the world championship in Denmark. I had to make a lot of sacrifices to be at the top. I have a son and a daughter now and I want to spend time with my family. So I have to discuss with them. I think my body can take it but it depends on my mind because that is what controls it. I am spending a lot of time keeping my body going by training. But it can be mentally tough. But let me say if I go for one more Olympics, I won`t go there for fun. I will only go if I have a chance to win,” he said.

Peter Gade’s retirement in 2012 has made Fischer the torch-bearer of Danish badminton at the moment and the 35-year-old expressed satisfaction at the progress made by some of the Danish youngsters.

“It has been difficult to take over from Peter because he is a legend back there in Denmark but I am trying my best. I am much elder than other players, so I try to help them to build the young players so that they can take over when time comes,” said Fisher.

“It is difficult to make strong player. But Denmark is trying hard to get young players. We have Jan o Jorgensen is very strong. Hans is also on his way. So it looks good. But Denmark has a lot of respect for Indian players, they are very strong.”

Fischer, who partnered Ashwini Ponnappa for Pune Warriors last year in the inaugural edition of the Indian Badminton League, hoped to come back to play in the tournament this year despite a possible clash with the Danish Open.

“It is a hectic year, too many tournaments and also we want to play in the Indian league as well. I would like to comeback. I will try my best. I will talk with the organisers and try to comeback this year,” said Fischer.

“There is actually no time in the Calendar and they found a time where it can be hold. It is difficult for Danish player because Denmark open is starting on the last day of IBL. It is big tournament for us. But we will try to play in the Indian League. We will have to come to India a lot because the Thomas cup is also there next month and we will look to use the experience here.”