"The surname doesn't really spare you in India": Gopichand on daughter Gayatri's road to World Championship bronze

Gayatri won bronze in the world championships recently.

It is common for athletes to face disappointment as a World Championship, World Cup or Olympic campaign draws to a close.

Yet even in those heartbreaking moments, some performances stay with them for life. That is exactly what India’s women’s doubles pair, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, have achieved.

After a dream run at the ongoing World Championships in New Delhi, the pair lost their semi-final to world No. 1 and reigning champions Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning.

Despite the defeat, the Indian duo secured a bronze medal by reaching the last four. India’s first women’s doubles medal at the Badminton World Championships in 15 years. But their performance was about far more than the result. It was a story of resilience, perseverance and a wide range of emotions.

Treesa lay on the floor after their quarter-final win, while Gayatri stood motionless, her hands covering her face. It is easy to imagine what must have been going through Treesa’s mind as she stared up at the lights of the Indira Gandhi Stadium. The pair then embraced.

Behind those emotional scenes lay months of pain and uncertainty. In April this year, Treesa suffered a painful ankle injury during training, sustaining two ligament tears and two high-grade muscle tears. As a result, the duo was sidelined for three months and missed tournaments including the Badminton Asia Championships and the Uber Cup.

Throughout the difficult period, both Gayatri and Pullela Gopichand, who is also India’s chief national badminton coach stood by Treesa. Gayatri, too, had struggled with back issues in 2025.

Gopichand reflected on their journey after their remarkable achievement

“First Gayatri got injured, and thereafter Treesa got injured. They played a Challenger just 10 days ago and came here. To win match after match against higher-ranked opponents isn’t easy, and it was a huge victory for them against the Chinese pair. The win means a lot, and each one of us was drawn into the moment.”

The duo had also endured a difficult run in recent tournaments. In their previous six events, including Challenger tournaments, they lost in the round of 32 three times, suffered two defeats in the round of 16 and exited in the round of 64 once.

As they looked to regain their confidence, they eventually competed at the Philippine International Challenge. Winning the tournament provided a significant boost to their confidence.

Several other factors also played a role in their remarkable achievement. Gopichand is Gayatri’s father, adding another layer to an already emotional journey. One can only imagine what he must have felt watching his daughter win a World Championship medal. After the match, he was seen embracing both Gayatri and Treesa.

“Treesa is like my daughter and has a blind faith in me. She says, ‘Aap bolo’, and you know she’d follow what I say to the end. For Gayatri, it isn’t easy. The surname doesn’t really spare you in India. At times I feel responsible for what Gayatri has to endure. She can’t help with the surname, and it is not easy to deal with. I have always tried to ensure she enjoys her journey, and that’s why I was very happy for both of them today,” Gopichand was quoted as saying by Revsportz.

Gayatri’s mother, PPV Lakshmi, is also a former badminton player. For many badminton fans, her name brings back memories of her rivalry with Aparna Popat.