Not being fully fit affecting my game, says Saina Nehwal

New Delhi: After being ousted from the French Open Super Series by Ratchanok Intanon, Saina Nehwal has blamed lack of full fitness for her poor performances of late.

Having failed to go past the second round at the Japan Open and Denmark Open, Saina was displaced from her top ranking by Spain's Carolina Marin.

"I had some pain in my right leg after the World Championships, so it is taking me time to get 100% fit. It's an Olympic year so there is no time to take break. I cannot afford to miss any tournament to protect my ranking," Saina told the Times of India.

"I will have to get fully fit first. That is my top priority now. Performance will automatically take care of itself once I manage to attain my peak fitness.

"I don't know when I will regain my top ranking. It is not in my hands. Giving performance is in my hands and I will do that,"she further added.