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Indian table tennis star Manika Batra opened up on preparations for the Paris Olympics 2024. Batra, who made her maiden Olympics appearance in Tokyo 2020, said she won’t repeat the mistakes she made in the previous edition of the marquee sporting tournament. Not only this, but Batra also said that a medal won’t be on her mind during the initial rounds of the Olympics. The 29-year-old also backed her team and said India stands a good chance of winning a medal at the quadrennial tournament.
During her interview with Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), she said, "I have learned many things from the last Olympics, and I am not going to make those mistakes again. My mindset has changed since then, I am calmer and have more confidence in myself. I have been working on my stamina and my agility, and my ultimate aim is to challenge for a medal.”
Batra reached the quarter-finals of the WTT Saudi Smash in May by beating World No. 2 and the former world champion Wang Manyu of China and World No. 14 Germany’s Nina Mittelham. The Indian paddler said, "India qualified for the first time (for the Olympics), this is a huge achievement. I am really happy with how we are working together (at the camp). I think we have a shot at the medal and we should give our best.”
She added, "The growth of women's table tennis in India is really inspiring. I see many of my fellow players playing really well. Everyone in the team is motivated and training very hard. Women's table tennis in India will only grow further.”
