In a freewheeling interview with mid-day, India's squash star Dipika Pallikal talks about the highs and setbacks of her career, food, friends and her cricketer-husband Dinesh Karthik
Dipika Pallikal
Twelve years of non-stop travel, spending time away from family and training abroad have made India's squash star Dipika Pallikal Karthik evolve as a person. It is only last year that she roped in Egyptian coach Ashraf el Karagui who is based in Chennai and has now stopped traveling abroad for training. Dipika, who has married cricketer Dinesh Karthik recently, Dipika juggles a lot of things in her life to strike the right balance between her sporting career and personal life. In an interview, she opens up on her future goals in the sport, her favourite country, how she unwinds and even what she likes to binge on while competing abroad.
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Excerpts from an interview:
You won a bronze with Joshna Chinappa in the semi-finals of the WSF World Doubles Squash Championships. Tell us about the experience.
I think Josh and me are capable of beating anyone on our day. I think we both know we are good enough to win gold. We were obviously disappointed with our loss, but we know the areas we need to work on and hopefully, we'll come back stronger.
Your goal for this year...
I've always said that the main thing is to stay injury-free and healthy so that will be my main aim. But I will also try to win some big matches.
Which have been the high point and low point of your career so far. How have you dealt with them?
All the highs and lows come hand in hand. I think I've learnt a lot from the lows, which has made me a stronger person.
Do you find it easier to train abroad since there are fewer distractions?
I've always trained abroad. I've based myself abroad since I was 13. You go out of your comfort zone and train, which I think, helps you grow as a person on and off the court. Last year, we got Ashraf el Karagui from Egypt who is my coach now and is based in Chennai. It feels nice to be settled in Chennai finally.
How does your cricketer-husband Dinesh Karthik help in reducing your day-to-day sporting pressures?
It's nice to come back home and know that we both can totally switch off from the game and just be like any other normal persons. We try to shut out our sports after a long day of training and maybe just unwind by watching a movie.
Dipika with cricketer-hubby Dinesh Karthik
What do you do for food when you travel abroad?
If we get time, we eat out at different places. But most of the time, it is just room service, as we are exhausted after our matches.
What type of food do you enjoy? Do you go looking for Indian restaurants?
I love Asian cuisine. So we usually land up at an Asian restaurant. Sometimes we eat Indian, but not always.
How do you manage to stay without friends when you travel abroad?
You get used to it. You learn to make friends wherever you go. Also, I know if I ever need anything, all my friends are only a phone call away.
What do you do to keep yourself entertained when not playing or training?
I watch a lot of reality shows and Hindi movies, which keeps me going. I talk to my family a lot so I don't feel lonely on tours.
Of all places you have been to, which country do you like traveling to?
I look forward to going to America every year. I have cousins there and I get to spend some time with them. It's nice to unwind during tournaments with family.
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