India's Manika Batra in action.
Credit: Reuters Photo
Paris: Navigating the chaotic Delhi traffic can be an overwhelming task but for someone accustomed to braving it daily, finding a way to emerge unscathed becomes second nature.
That's how India's national table tennis coach Massimo Constantini, explained what exactly Indian paddlers need to do to excel further at the biggest stage.
They need to be on top of their game and test themselves in difficult situations o learn how to handle pressure and perform under the most demanding circumstances.
The Italian, who took over two months back for his third stint as India coach, is pleased with the way Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula fared at the Paris Games, where for the first time India had two singles players competing in the pre-quarterfinals.
He says the historic performance in Paris is a warm-up for him, suggesting that he will approach the next Olympic cycle with bigger targets.
"To be in the top consistently winning mentality also should be there all the time, not once in a while. Winning mentality is not 'I want to win'. It means I have to have that habit of winning," Constantini said.
Both Manika and Sreeja were at a position of advantage in their respective round of 16 matches on Wednesday but they let the edge slip. Constantini wants Indian players to consistently go deep in the draws, face pressure and get used to it.
"That pressure, and that mentality when there is a lot at stake, you should be ready. Because you already lived the same situation."
"If you don't drive a car and you go in the traffic, especially in Delhi, what kind of confidence do you have? It's the same. The more you live in the situation, the better confidence you have.
"It's not enough that I want to win. I want to win, but being consistently up there is important."
So does he see Indian players doing that in near future?
"We are in that direction."
"To succeed in the Olympics, you need a better and stronger background. It means that you have to be in the top. And once you are in the top, the habit to win becomes easier because you already have that experience."
"Now, we got the first top 16, and we already made history. This should be the regular and when it's regular, then we can think of a quarter-final, a semi-final."
Constantini says India must strive to have players ranked inside the top-10. Currently, Manika is placed 28th and Sreeja is 25th in the world rankings.
"Let's get the team there. Now we have 5 players in top-100, ladies, and four players in the top 100, in men. We are moving. We are moving well. And as I said, for me, this is a good warm-up for 2028."
Manika is already on the wrong side of 20s but Constantini says age won't be a hindrance in her progress further.
"That was a good opportunity, but her career doesn't stop today. We have already told her, let's get in the top 10. This (Paris Olympics) for me, it's a warm-up. I joined just a couple of months ago, and I'm very happy about the performance of all players."
"If we look at the medals from other countries in the last 4 years, 8 years, players who made the Olympics are mature. Mature with a strong winning background. That's what we are missing now.
"Once we get a better and stronger winning mentality, facing the Olympics, it will be much easier. We have a winning mentality, but we need to strengthen it."
Constantini does not seem to be bothered by the pressure of the big stage that Indian players face.
"Pressure is not an issue. Maybe the expectation, I would say," added the Italian.