“Life has changed after Rio. Winning a silver medal was a huge moment for me. It has come with a lot of responsibilities.”

It is hard to lose for everybody.

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!

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.

It takes years of practice to become a World No. 1 or 2.

Every tournament is important for me.

I was at the Gopichand Academy since I was 10.

My long-term goal is to become the world number one player.

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.

If it makes me happy, it definitely adds to my well-being.

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.

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.

Injuries are part of life. We can’t decide on that.

Against each player, I will give 100 per cent. I give my best in every game.

I prepare the same for every opponent.

Talking about world-class player, no player is easy to play at this level. Each player has a different style of play.

I have been playing with boys, which is helpful for me.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

If we give a little love, maybe we can change the world.

Every time you’re faced with something ugly, focus on something beautiful. What you focus on expands. Only you can change your reality.

Everytime the leaves are changing it’s the loneliest time of the year.

We are tapping into what the world wants: to be a part of change.

The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.

The willingness to show up changes us, It makes us a little braver each time.

Russia is the biggest country in the world. It would be very difficult to surround it, and the world is changing so fast that it would basically be impossible, even in theory.