42 Quotes by Saina Nehwal

I love winning more than I love playing badminton. Winning is everything.

Badminton will gain momentum in a big manner after my win in Olympics. More players will participate in the game now.

My uncles and other relatives are against encouraging girls in every aspect, and that includes sports. I hardly interact with them. My parents are more open. They back me all the way.

I cannot believe there is caste system in society; I cannot believe people are judged on the basis of their prosperity.

Both my parents were amateur badminton players. My father is a scientist and wanted me to be a doctor. But my mom was very aggressive and loved badminton. She pushed me right from the age of nine to take up the sport.

I have always wanted an Olympic medal. I always wanted to see India's national flag going up at the podium.

Unlike most youngsters who have school as their 'second home' where they meet and make friends, for me playtime has been at the Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad. When I am not playing a tournament, my days are spent at the Academy with my coaches, physiotherapists and colleagues, who are like family. We laugh and have so much fun.

After I win a match, I celebrate it by having an ice cream.

When I was a kid, my parents would play badminton, but I hardly joined them. I'd just pick up their racquets and fiddle around. Check out how the racquet was made... toss it around to see how light it was! At the time, I didn't even know I'd play badminton.