Jwala-Diju pair pulls out of India Open

India's leading mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju will not participate in the India Open Super Series as the latter had to undergo minor surgery on his troublesome back.

Diju, who is suffering from a recurring back problem since the last year, has decided to go in for a minor keyhole surgery to regain complete fitness and will miss the April 26-May 1 tournament, the first Super Series in the country.

"We won't be able to play in the India Open as Diju has to undergo a minor keyhole surgery. He has been having problems with his back for quite sometime and we decided it is the right time to go for the operation. It is sad that we won't be able to play at home but his health is priority," Jwala, one half of the mixed doubles pair, said.

The duo won the India Open, when it was a Grand Prix Gold event, last year in Chennai.

"Diju is very tall, and so playing badminton always puts pressure on the lower back. It plays on your mind when you are not completely fit. So once the surgery is over, we will be back with a bang," she added.

The world No 19 India pair, who were seeded sixth in the tournament, however, will be back in action in June.

"We will be playing our next tournament in June, as a one month's gap is good enough time to recover, and we will come out stronger and be inside the top 10 by this year end," said Jwala.

The 27-year-old Hyderabad shuttler is, however, excited about playing in the women's doubles category and hopes to repeat their Commonwealth Games gold medal feat at the familiar Sri Fort sports complex.

"Me and Ashwini have been playing well. Even in the Commonwealth Games, we had the fiercest competition and we overcame that to win the gold. So we hope to do well in the India Open too," said Jwala, who along with Ashwini finished runners-up in the women's doubles event of the India Open Grand Prix Gold last year.

"I haven't seen the draw, as it doesn't matter. At the end of the day, we need to win every match, whosoever it might be. So, for me, the first round is as important as the final," Jwala added.

Eighth seeds Jwala and Ashwini have a bye in the first round and will take on the winner of Eei Hui Chin and Pei Tty Wong of Malaysia and India pair of PC Thulasi and Sikki Reddy.

"We have the home advantage and I hope to deliver once again in front of the Delhi crowd," said Jwala.