India’s most successful women doubles pair Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponappa have ended their on-court partnership. Gutta on Tuesday told ESPN that the decision was permanent and she will no longer feature in women’s doubles.
Ashwini, meanwhile has decided to partner N Sikki Reddy.
The successful duo, that last featured together in the Rio Olympic, has won a Commonwealth Games gold, bronze medals at the Asian Games and multiple world championships in addition to several other titles.
Gutta said that the decision to part was taken before the Rio Olympics. “It was not a difficult decision since it was on the cards. It is like a bad marriage which cannot continue,” she told The Hindu.
“I have had a good run with Ashwini and will cherish the great moments we had on court. I think the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold was the best. The World championship bronze, too, was another special moment in our partnership,” Gutta said.
Ashwini reportedly said that it was a great partnership but it was time to look for a new beginning.
“I haven’t made any long term plans but after the bout of dengue just before the Olympics, I felt it was better for us to start with smaller tournaments,” Aswini was quoted as saying by the Mumbai Mirror.
Both insist that the decision was mutual and they parted on amicable terms.
However, this is not for the first time that the duo has parted ways. The 26th ranked pair in the world earlier split in 2013 when Gutta decided to take some time out of the sport following the London Olympics while Ponappa teamed up with Pradnya Gadre.
The pair eventually got back together at the French Open in October.
(Feature image source: Reuters)
