Quotes of All Topics . Occasions . Authors
I will keep working on different aspects of my games. It's not so easy, and I need to work on every stroke.
Your dreams are what define your individuality. They have the power to give you wings and make you fly high.
My coaches have always been on my side, motivating me to try harder and harder every day, which is not easy.
Previously, people were like, 'She might win the tournament,' but now it's like, 'She should win the tournament.'
Talking about world-class player, no player is easy to play at this level. Each player has a different style of play.
Life has changed after Rio. Winning a silver medal was a huge moment for me. It has come with a lot of responsibilities.
I am really lucky that I got such good coaches and everything I wanted, right from the infrastructure to proper coaching.
There will be many obstacles in the pursuit of your dreams. I had long hours of training, balancing studies and badminton.
What hurts most is whenever I am leading, and then I lose the match, it is disappointing, and there are so many such matches.
It is never the case that I will push myself more for the World Championships and play differently in a Super Series or vice-versa.
Be it 'Mary Kom,' 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag,' or 'Dangal,' each one was inspiring in its own way. But my favourite is 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.'
I love dressing up, and I'm aware that people do say that it can take your attention away from the game. But I disagree with this notion!
You have to keep working all the time. How much you learn, there is always room for learning; you will have to keep improving all the time.
Since I'm the youngest in the family, I sulk when my parents deny me something, although I come around when they explain why it was denied.
The key is not being overconfident. You should not think that because I'm a top-ranked player, I will win this game. You have to be focused.
I should not think that I have to win every match and what others will think; that will create extra pressure. I just have to give best on court.
When you lose, you keep thinking, 'I could have done things differently,' but at that moment, you can't do anything, so it is important to let go.
I love making friends and make others happy. But I also love to be happy all the time. All that aggression that you see remains on the court only.
When I started, I didn't think I would become a great player. It was my passion; I had interest. My parents supported me. In that way, I continued.
Fitness is the key. You need to have strokes and stamina and agility; you need to exercise really well. On-court and off-court are equally important.
I think judging a shuttle is different everywhere, so there is a drift, but you have to be used to it. We can't complain, as I think it is same for all.
I would love to act in a film if it is based on my life. But then it all depends on who is making it and how much time it would require for me to shoot.
Every time I go on to the court, people expect me to get a medal. It is tough, and I can't win always, but I still have to go out there and give my best.
It is very important to be confident and strong even if you lose, because you know there are tournaments coming up next, and you have to be prepared for it.
There were many struggles, but my parents supported me a lot. Whenever I wanted anything, wherever I wanted to go, practice session etc., they were there for me.
I was lucky to get good coaches and infrastructure that I needed. To become a champion, it is not just a few months' practice: it takes years to make a champion.
Since the Rio Olympics, the expectations are always high, and the responsibilities are also high. I am used to it now. You have to keep going and keep working hard.
Nagpur to Kanyakumari and Kashmir, future Olympic medallists can come from anywhere. It is the passion that drives you, not the city, provided you get enough facilities.
While I am training, I don't go out for events, so rest days, in a way, take away that time. Apart from that, I just stay at home and rest, maybe relax at home and spend time with family.
I love to experiment with my looks and dresses on and off the court because I love to turn out very well. But, I must add here that just good-looking athletes can't do anything for their sport.
While there are many good courts in the country, we need to have good coaches for more players to come up. Not everyone can go to Gopichand Academy, and everyone cannot afford international tournaments.
The Olympic medal gave me a lot of confidence, and I went and won my first Super Series in Hong Kong. So in that regards, what Rio did was give me extra motivation and the confidence that now anything can happen.
I had once thought I would become a doctor but gave up on the thought soon enough. I took up the racquet instead. Later, when I saw my sister studying so much to become a doctor, I was like, 'Thank God I am a shuttler!'
Sometimes it does upset you when you lose in the finals, or even in a quarterfinal or semifinal, especially when you think, 'Maybe I could have played better,' or even if you gave your 100 percent, and even then, you lose.
I like Telugu movies, then comes Bollywood and then English movies. In Tollywood, I like Mahesh Babu and Prabhas. But no, I don't watch all their movies. I first find out if the movie is nice. If it's a flop, I don't watch it.
I went to school like any other regular student till Class VIII, and my favourite subject was math. From Class IX, things got a little difficult to manage. I was inclined towards studies, but then I also had to give time to badminton.
Life has changed both on and off the court after the Rio Olympics medal. I have a lot of confidence on the court now and feel anything is possible. I also feel that I have improved my game. Off the court, I do get recognised more now.
I was 18 when I was presented with the Arjuna Award. To say it feels really good would be an understatement. But I don't know how else to convey the feeling. I am grateful for having received this prestigious award at such a young age.
I didn't think I would have an Olympic medal at 21, but I knew I would give my best and play my game. I just viewed it as my first Olympics and that I would take it one match at a time, but to bring a silver home made me very, very happy.