Saina Nehwal
Saina Nehwal
Saina Nehwal; born 17 March 1990) is an Indian badminton player, former world no.1 in Women's Singles . She is the first Indian to win a medal in Badminton at the Olympics. She achieved this feat by winning the Bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics on 4 August 2012. She is also the first Indian after Prakash Padukone and the first Indian woman to become world number 1 badminton player. Besides these, she is the first Indian to win...
NationalityIndian
ProfessionBadminton Player
Date of Birth17 March 1990
CityHisar District, India
CountryIndia
I want to see more sports in schools.
My grandmother did not come to see me till a month after my birth. I was born seven years after my only sister and my birth was a big disappointment for her. In it there is a message that I understand very well now about the discrimination against the girl child. My uncles and other relatives are against encouraging girls. My parents are more open. They back me all the way.
I want to be the best, it's not about the ranking, it's about being consistent.
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.
Rankings are not so important. I am only focused on winning tournaments.
I love winning more than I love playing badminton. Winning is everything.
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.
My hero is Roger Federer.
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.
I am a huge Bollywood fan, and my favourite actor of all time is Shah Rukh Khan.
After I win a match, I celebrate it by having an ice cream.
Badminton is not as glamorous as cricket.
Yes, my mom does keep making references to marriage, like all mothers do, but it's only in a lighter mood... she just jokes.
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.