Quotes from Saina Nehwal

Men are domineering in rural Haryana, and that shows in sport, too.

My schedule is too overwhelmingly full to think about the future.

I want to see more sports in schools.

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

Badminton is not a popular sport in India.

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.

Yes, my mom does keep making references to marriage, like all mothers do, but it's only in a lighter mood... she just jokes.

My philosophy is to not be scared of anyone. If I play well, great; if I dont, I learn from the match and move on.

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

All sports should get support from the government and corporate bodies.

I don't think I have the ability or patience to teach badminton to others.

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

I never believed that India could win a medal in badminton because the competition is so tough.

Rankings are not so important. I am only focused on winning tournaments.

Badminton is not as glamorous as cricket.

I am a huge Bollywood fan, and my favourite actor of all time is Shah Rukh Khan.

I really thank my parents for giving me the good sense to not get into anything wrong. There are many people around who like controversies, and I actually wonder how do they do it. I don't have the courage to get into controversies. There are people who love it; I find it silly.

My hero is Roger Federer.

I was really surprised when I was told that my grandmother did not come to see me till a month after my birth. I was born seven years after my only sister Chandranshu, and my birth was a big disappointment for her.

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

I am a human being. When you are frustrated, you do cry. It's more than once that I cried.

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.

When people say I have become a celebrity, I remind them of fame's flip side. For instance, if I want to watch a movie in a cinema, I have to enter through a side exit just before the film begins and leave by the same exit before the credits roll.

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