India's top shuttler Ajay Jayaram is aiming for consistency in the new year, something that he lacked in 2013 and which was the main reason behind his failure to break into the world's top-10.
The World No.24 made some quarterfinal appearances in Super Series events this year and won the inaugural Indian Badminton League (IBL) tournament with Hyderabad Hotshots.
"I have had some good performances in 2013. Reached about three-four quarterfinals in Super Series. But I have lacked consistency and that has affected my rankings. I got some good wins in tournaments but failed to keep up the momentum. Somehow I lost my focus," Jayaram told IANS Saturday on the sidelines of the senior nationals at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here.
For the 26-year-old the win in the IBL remains the only high of 2013.
"It has still been a good year especially with the win in IBL. I helped my team win and won the match in the final too. Overall, I would say I am reasonably happy with the season."
Last year, Jayaram was left heartbroken after he failed to qualify for the 2012 London Games by a whisker. Jayaram should have qualified by virtue of his superior rankings but he was overtaken by Parupalli Kashyap by the cut-off date of May 3.
"It is a matter of consistency and you have to just keep at it which gives you confidence, which I think Kashyap had got. That is why he did well. I am quite confident that I will get there as well. I just have to be positive and keep believing in myself and hopefully I will get into the top-10 by next year end," said Jayaram.
The Mumbaikar is focussed on the Korea Open Super Series (Jan 7-12) and Malaysia Open Super Series Premier (Jan 14-19).
"I don't have any points to defend so it is a good chance to increase my ranking. More importantly, what I would focus on is to get to quarterfinals and semi-finals on a more regular basis which means I will have to get past the seeded players on a consistent basis," said Jayaram, who trains under coach Tom John in Bangalore.
Jayaram feels that a major win is just round the corner.
"As of now I am feeling very good about myself. Most Indian players in the past have won their major titles when they were 27-28. In the next two years, I definitely need to get some big win and I am quite confident of that to happen," added Jayaram.
