New Delhi [India], August 23 (ANI): Indian badminton player Treesa Jolly said winning a medal on the global stage and making the country proud was a "dream come true", as she reflected on her achievement at the World Championships.
Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Treesa said the feeling of securing a medal at the World Championships was special, especially as it came on home soil.
"I think getting a medal on the global stage and making India proud is kind of a different feeling. And it's an amazing feeling, and it's a dream come true for so many years; it was inside me that needs to get a medal in the World Championship, and it's happening right now on home soil, that is more special," Treesa told ANI.
Treesa and Gayatri clinched a bronze medal after their spirited fight against world number one Chinese combination of Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning ended in a three-game loss in the women's doubles semifinals of the BWF World Championships 2026 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium on Saturday.
Treesa and Gayatri, ranked 39th in the world, had accounted for three seeded pairs to reach the semifinals, ending India's 15-year wait for a women's doubles medal since Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa achieved that feat back in 2011,,
Gayatri and Treesa won the opening game 21-18 before the Chinese defending champions bounced back to win the next two games 21-13, 21-8 and seal their place in the final.
The Indian shuttler added that she was still processing the achievement and credited the efforts behind the team for their success.
"I think the emotions were there; kind of now also still processing that we actually did this," she said.
Speaking about her partnership with Gayatri Gopichand, Treesa said the duo entered the tournament with a clear goal of finishing on the podium and adjusted their approach during matches.
"I think when we ended this tournament, the mindset was very different for both of us. I think we were into a goal where we actually needed to get a medal. We needed to finish on the podium," she said.
Treesa said their strategy focused on rotations, understanding opponents and creating uncertainty during matches.
"I think when we are practising also, it's still the game we are doing, kind of more on rotations and kind of just get into the players' minds, where tricking them in a kind of way that they cannot understand what exactly is happening between us, what the plan was," she added.
Praising her partner Gayatri, Treesa said she was grateful to share the court with her and achieve success together.
"Gayatri is amazing, and I am so grateful to play with her and get kind of a good partner," she said.
Treesa also credited the entire support staff and team behind their campaign, saying their achievement was the result of collective effort.
"Right now, I feel like we need to cherish this moment. I think this is something we achieved, and we need to be proud of ourselves," she said.
"I think it's teamwork behind us. There is teamwork; every match, when we are playing, they were making us get ready for the match and making us fit in the right way, and I think the team, I will give the credit to the team," Treesa added. (ANI)
"Dream come true": Treesa Jolly reflects on World Championships medal, credits teamwork with Gayatri
