Unnati Hooda has the shots, but can she control her mind on World Championships debut

Unnati Hooda, India's women's singles debutant, must believe in her ability to perform on the grand stage during her World Championships debut. The teenager acknowledges the importance of mental preparation, stating she is working on staying composed during her inaugural Worlds. Unnati could advance far with a favorable draw, but if she reaches the first round, she may face 13th-seeded Canadian Michelle Li or Taiwanese Chiu Pin-Chian.

Although the path to the quarterfinals isn't perilous, she will need to be courageous and confront potentially 8th-seeded Tomoka Miyazaki in the prequarters. Chen Yufei also competes in her quarter, and while winning a medal is challenging, competing on the World Championships stage presents a great opportunity to make a statement.

"On the biggest stage, you need to work equally on the physical and mental aspects," Unnati emphasizes. "I've been working with a psychologist to ensure I'm mentally prepared." Despite the odds, Unnati remains confident and excited about the World Championships, seeing it as a prime opportunity to make a mark by competing at home.

Since her early loss at the World Juniors, Unnati has adapted her mindset, noting the need to quickly reset after losing a point and to adapt to different situations. Trained alongside PV Sindhu, Unnati now feels well-prepared to manage the court's nuances, such as length, tosses, and lifts. Windy conditions have previously tested her, and facing experienced opponents like Myanmar's Thet Htar Thuzar will require her to rely on her sharp strokes.

If both players advance, Unnati will confront experienced Li, who could prove challenging. Additionally, Miyazaki, a 20-year-old Japanese out-runner, may present significant obstacles, but Unnati believes she can pull off some upsets in the competition.