Saina pulls out of Commonwealth Games

India's chances of winning a gold in badminton at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games starting July 23 got a major jolt as defending champion Saina Nehwal Friday pulled out of women's singles event.

The World No.7 said she suffered blisters during last month's Australian Open and couldn't prepare for the Glasgow Games.

"I am pulling out of the Commonwealth Games because I did not get enough time to train for the tournament. I cannot go to an event without being being fully prepared. It was not an easy decision," Saina told IANS from Hyderabad.

"After the Australian Open win I got some blisters. I was in lot of pain and could not practice. The recovery took a lot of time," added the Olympic bronze medallist, who broke a 20-month Super Series title drought at the Australian Open.

Saina is now focussing on the World Championships (Aug 25-31) and the Asian Games (Sep 19-29).

"I will now prepare for the World Championships and the Asian Games. It is important to be fit and take care of the body before these important events," she added.

Saina won the gold four years ago beating Malaysia's Wong Mew Choo in the final here at the Siri Fort Sports Complex.

India won four medals in the discipline in 2010. Besides Saina, the pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa won the women's doubles gold, Parupalli Kashyap men's singles bronze, and India also bagged the mixed team silver.