(Image source from: Saina Nehwal splits with Pullela Gopichand)

Saina Nehwal has decided to split with her coach Pullela Gopichand following her exit at the quarterfinals in the World Badminton Championships in Denmark. The ace shuttler will now train under former India coach Vimal Kumar for theAsian Games due to start later this month.

The 24-year-old badminton player had reportedly conveyed her decision to Gopichand last week during the world championship in Denmark. And Gopi has told her to go ahead with her plans.

Saina Nehwal has confirmed reports about her training with coach Vimal Kumar and said that she is looking for a change.

Saina will move to Bangalore to train under Vimal Kumar for 15 days before the Asian Games. Reports suggest that Saina may enter into a long-term arrangement with coach Vijay as she feels Gopi is not able to give her dedicated time.

According to reports, Saina's decision to train with Vimal Kumar is rooted in her loss of form and the rise of players like PV Sindhu and K Srikanth. Apparently Gopichand has been dedicating more time to nurture upcoming players like PV Sindhu and K Srikanth.

This is not the first time that Saina has split with Gopichand. In 2011 India's ace shuttler started training with Baskar Babu but returned to Gopichand within three months.

Saina Nehwal is the only badminton player in India to have won an Olympic medal.

(AW: Pratima Tigga)