Since the Syed Modi India International Open began in 2009, Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly became the first Indian women’s pair to win the tournament. This maiden Super 300 title marks a special end to an exciting year for them. Heading into 2025, this win will surely boost their confidence.
The pair recently spoke exclusively with RevSportz’s Editor-in-Chief, Boria Majumdar. They shared insights about their partnership, future goals, the BWF World Tour Finals, and more. Here are some highlights from the interview:
Boria: Why don’t you start, Treesa? First thoughts?
Treesa: I think I am so grateful and so happy because this is our first Super 300 title and getting that title in India, is more special. And it is in Syed Modi, so happy about that. I always dreamt about the need to win these levels of tournaments and now it has happened. I am so happy.
Boria: Gayatri, what was the celebration like?
Gayatri: Nothing as such, but I am really happy that we won the Syed Modi tournament. I did not know that we were the first Indian women’s pair to win it. But I am really excited that we did and it is a huge milestone for both of us. There is no celebration as such, but I am really happy.
Boria: Can you tell me a little bit about Treesa and why this partnership clicks for you, Gayatri?
Gayatri: I think from the start, when we began to play, there was a combination when we never practiced together. Suddenly, we did a game day here in the Academy and it worked. Like, I was smashing good, she is at the net and we paired up in 2020, post-COVID. After that, we started winning some international tournaments. I think we got confidence from the All England, actually. We reached the semi-finals, that was something, and we believed in ourselves. Like, we can also play women’s doubles at this level and we can beat those players – that confidence got us here, I think.
Boria: Can you tell me a little bit about the Gopichand surname? How did you deal with the pressures of being a Gopichand?
Gayatri: He has never put any sort of pressure on me. Like you said, he always tells me, if you retire today, I am really happy with what you have achieved. Even today, when I met him, he hugged me and he said, I am hugging you because I have missed you, it is not because you won. So, there is no pressure as such. He has always wanted me to be happy, and that is what he has always told me – just enjoy on court. So, I have always enjoyed playing badminton.
Boria: What is special about Treesa-Gayatri? Why does this partnership click?
Gayatri: I feel on court, Treesa is just amazing. I think she is very aggressive and the combination works really well. I think she is super charged and she is ready to finish those matches. I really like that about her.
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Boria: Treesa, you are so calm outside the court. On the court, you become a completely different persona. How does the transformation happen?
Treesa: I think when I started playing badminton, I was like that – a shouting player. Like when I come on court, if I do not shout and play, I feel like I am not playing well. To win the match, I need to shout and play. That aggressive thing, if that does not come in me, then I cannot play badminton.
Boria: How do you control her, Gayatri? Does she get overcharged?
Gayatri: Yeah, sometimes, but it is okay. There is a balance.
Boria: Tell me about Gayatri backstage. Does she ever get angry?
Treesa: I think I am so impressed while she is playing, like in the crucial points after 15 and all. When I am panicking, she is just calm and just playing her own game. If I see her, then I am like, oh, my God, how she is doing that?
Boria: Gayatri, what is next for the pair? What is the plan for 2025?
Gayatri: It is almost the end of the year. It has been a great year, I would say. We have played some really good badminton and now I think we are just looking forward to playing and giving 100% against some really good pairs there. We just want to be the best, honestly. For 2025 as well, let us just start off. We are starting off with playing the Indian Open and Malaysia Open. So, let us see what happens there.
Boria: Treesa, will the Syed Modi win give you guys the confidence, momentum going into the tournaments against some of the best pairs in the world?
Treesa: Yeah, of course. After this tournament, we gained a lot of confidence that we could play in those tournaments, like the upcoming BWF World Tour finals. I think in those eight pairs, we have beaten most of those players. I think we can match them and we need to focus on that.
Boria: Gayatri, tell me something about Treesa that the media does not know.
Gayatri: She is a very good dancer.
Boria: Same question for you, Treesa. One thing about Gayatri that none of us know?
Treesa: I think she is so silent. But when she comes outside, it is like she is not that introverted person. But she is some kind of fun person, like a happy person. Whatever thing she needs to do, she will do her own way.