Quotes from Jwala Gutta

I want to promote doubles, educate people and media about doubles.

I have grown up in a country where we are told that there is freedom of speech.

I have fought back. From not being allowed to play, I have now qualified for Olympics in two events, it is satisfying. I feel proud.

For Indian players, qualifying for the Olympics is a feat in itself.

I stopped playing mixed doubles and there is no result in mixed doubles. I was world number six. People who are talking about me and my performance and questioning my career and my achievements, where is the next mixed doubles pair, please show it to me. I would like to know.

I had to quit every favorite food of mine.

I am not a quitter.

People tend to think I lack focus. This is probably something they conclude from my trendy dressing style or my hair color. They forget my wins. I guess it's easy to forget.

I have always played under pressure because I have always played for my team in doubles and mixed doubles and it was always like if the doubles pair win then the team wins.

It takes guts to take up doubles in India.

Patience, self-belief and regularity are three qualities that would take a young player to great heights.

I don't expect people to understand, but as players who love the sport and have constantly been thrown a rock at by our association and now the Govt, there is only so much one can take.

Yes, I am a rebel.

Having children is a great responsibility, and I don't want to have kids while I am still playing.

Why should you think that a good-looking girl who likes taking care of herself is not as focused as someone who doesn't do all that? Why should I be told to focus on the game and not do any makeup?

It's just not in me to regret being me.

As long as I know I have worked hard, I will have no regrets.

A girl has to worry about financially securing her future. There is also the question of marriage. Whether to continue playing after marriage is another question. That is why a job is very important for a sportswoman so that she is able to play without worrying about such things.

The beauty of the game is strength, stamina and technique and when you shorten the game, technique goes for a toss and the quality of badminton will surely go down in this system.

The consistent support that singles player are getting is way more than doubles, it is 100:1. We hardly get any support, the only support we get is from the government but it is not enough if we have to perform consistently at the highest level.

I really don't remember my first meeting with Arif Sir.

Getting a medal is not a small feat, irrespective of what color it is.

I'm a proud feminist, people get irritated with that word... but we need feminism in our country.

I like wearing everything, from dresses to jeans to saris.