Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand reflect on their emotional World Championships bronze, the injuries and training tweaks that shaped their campaign, the role of their fathers and the electric atmosphere in Delhi.

 

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 23, 2026

For Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, a bronze medal at the BWF World Championships was more than a landmark achievement. It was the culmination of an up-and-down journey marked by injuries, patient rehabilitation, tactical adjustments and an unwavering belief in each other.

The women's doubles pair secured the bronze at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi after a remarkable run in which they defeated three seeded pairs on their way to the semifinals. The medal was especially meaningful because it came in front of a packed home crowd—and after a long period in which injury had threatened their rhythm and momentum.

In an interaction with the Badminton Association of India's YouTube channel, Treesa and Gayatri spoke about the emotions of winning a World Championships medal, the pressure of carrying expectations, the influence of their fathers, and the changes in their game that helped them make a deep run in Delhi.

On the moment they knew they had secured a World Championships medal

Gayatri Gopichand: Going into the quarterfinal, personally, I didn't have any expectations. I just wanted to go there and give my 100 percent. We had just come back from a long break and there had been a few ups and downs, so I didn't really know what was going to happen.

After the first set, it was tricky. In the second, we were down 7-10. We converted a few points, took charge and changed our game plan. It worked in our favour. Once we won that second set, we became super confident. We looked at each other and thought, "I think we can do it." We were just one game away from winning a medal.

We trusted each other and played some really good badminton. At the end, I was just so emotional. It was a pinch-me moment—"Is this really happening?" I just started crying. The emotions were there throughout the match and afterwards. Till the last point, it's not over. Once it was done, we were like, "We made it."

Treesa Jolly: Getting a World Championships medal is almost a dream for us as partners. And the fact that it happened at home makes it even more special. It was a goosebumps moment.

We've played so many tournaments and always given our 100 percent, but this one felt different. There was such a mix of emotions. Gopi sir was sitting behind us and guiding us throughout the match, telling us to stay calm.

Even when we had match point and the lead, we were just waiting for the right moment to express our happiness. We wanted to stay calm until the very end.

On the packed Delhi crowd and the feeling of playing a World Championships semifinal at home

Gayatri: When we were walking in for our semifinal, it was amazing. I've never felt anything like that before. There were so many people. It was packed — it almost felt like a cricket stadium.

It felt amazing to play in front of that crowd. We've played some incredible matches here and there is so much to learn from this week.

On the pressure of carrying the Gopichand name

Gayatri: Honestly, sometimes on court, I do feel that pressure. I wouldn't say I don't. But there is also a lot of guidance, and that's the better part of it.

When I'm on court, there isn't much time to think about my father. There is already so much happening inside the match. When I go off court, though, there are people who tell me, "You are Gopi sir's daughter. You need to prove yourself."

But I think I'm much better at handling it now. There is pressure, but I've learnt how to deal with it. When I'm on court, we're just enjoying ourselves. That's what he tells me — just enjoy.

I think the pressure is more for people outside. I don't feel it as much. We have this chat where he asks me, "Do you feel pressurised because of this?" And I'm like, "No, it's not that hard. I can deal with it."

There is always going to be some pressure, but over the years I've learnt how to handle it.

On the role of Treesa's father, Jolly Mathew, in her journey from Kannur

Treesa: My father was a volleyball coach, and we had a volleyball court in our backyard. At that time, a lot of players were taking up badminton, so he changed it into a badminton court for me and my elder sister.

The initial days were difficult. Badminton was an expensive sport and we had to face a lot of financial struggles. But somehow, my father never made me feel those pressures.

That confidence gives you something else when your parents tell you that you have the talent to play at that level. That support was always there from my parents. They are so amazing in that regard. I am here because of my parents.

And I think my father is the star. When I started playing, there was nothing in my village. After the Commonwealth Games medal, I can now see so many courts. Students come up to me and people are excited to play. Everyone plays in my village now.

Before, there was just a clay court. During the rainy season, we couldn't play. So my father changed the clay court into a tarpaulin court. If I am here, it's only because of him.

Even my jump smash is possibly because of the volleyball drills my father made me do when I started. In Class I, I used to do the volleyball jump serve, so I had that strength.

My sister also supported me a lot. And then there is my friend Varshini at the academy, who took care of me like a parent for seven weeks when I was injured and couldn't even go home.

On how their front-and-back court rotations have evolved

Gayatri: When Treesa was injured, I just wanted to be fit. I wanted to be able to cover the backcourt when she came back because I knew it wouldn't be easy for her to cover that much area immediately after an injury.

So I started doing a lot more backcourt work. I wanted to be fit enough to cover for her. But it wasn't really needed because she came back stronger than ever.

And in this tournament, I feel Treesa's net game was incredible. I had never seen her net game at this level before.

Treesa: That's what we were working on a lot during training. Even this morning, I was telling her, "Bro, I always get that fear of going to the net."

I'm not naturally as confident at the net because I tend to hit harder and be aggressive. At the net, you have to be a little calmer.

Gopi sir kept telling us during our sessions: just block, go to the net, but be calm. The training system was designed that way. So when we came here and played, I could actually see the difference.

It made me believe that what we were doing in training was working. Against the Japanese pair, when I took charge at the net and Gaya started hitting from the backcourt, the rotation was really good. It helped us a lot.

We could see that our opponents had no clue what was happening—who was going to the front and who was going to the back. Earlier, our game had become a little predictable.

On the training changes that prepared them for the World Championships

Gayatri: Definitely. Once we started playing together again after Treesa's injury recovery, there were only a few very basic things we worked on: block, net, drive and smash.

Simple, but very effective. We did those drills repeatedly—morning, evening, morning, evening. I think we followed the same programme every day for two months.

After every session, Gopi sir would ask us, "Does this make sense? Do you understand what's happening?"

Treesa: I think that's one of his good qualities. He comes and asks us how the session was going. As a coach, Gopi sir has achieved almost everything, but he still has this attitude of having a conversation with the players.

If we have any doubts or questions, we can just go to him and clear them.

On dealing with injury and rehabilitation as a doubles pair

Gayatri: When Treesa was injured, I just thought I had to practise and practise. Injuries disrupt your rhythm and momentum, so I wanted to be fit and ready for when she came back.

I knew Treesa was hurting. I think it was the first time she had suffered such a serious injury. We just had to be patient with each other and trust each other — on court, off court, anywhere.

Even while she was injured, we kept talking. Once we got back together, we knew we had to work harder.

She has always been there for me whenever I've been injured. She has called me so many times and said, "Kuch nahi hoga bhai, tum vapas aa, hum khelenge." I think she's been a really good support.

Having someone by your side at that time really helps you stay positive.

On the confidence gained from winning the Philippines International Challenge before the World Championships

Gayatri: Even at the Challenge level, the quality was pretty high. All the pairs were good. From the quarterfinals onwards, I think we played three games in each match.

That definitely brought some confidence because winning a third set after a break is important. After the final, once we won, it gave us momentum as well.

On taking confidence from their performances against the top Chinese pairs

Treesa: Yesterday's performance showed that we were close to beating them. I feel it's just a matter of time. We want to take this confidence and continue.

Being here on the global stage and playing at this level is important for us. The matches we played this week were so intense and of such high quality.

Getting opportunities to play those kinds of matches — and winning and pulling off those results — is a big confidence boost for us.

On what they will take away from an unforgettable week

Gayatri: It has been so eventful — with the Arjuna Award, the bronze medal and the World Championships happening in Delhi.

When we were walking in for our semifinal, the feeling was amazing. I've never felt it before. There were so many people and it was packed, almost like a cricket stadium.

We've played some amazing matches here and there is so much to learn from. We're still improving and still learning.

I also want to thank my physios, trainers and coaches. They've worked so, so hard to get us into this form. I'm just super happy with everything that has happened this week and so grateful for everything.

Finally, the nickname they prefer

Treesa & Gayatri: "TreGa" is nice. We prefer that only. We're able to understand that it's about us!