“I have to keep moving and keep working hard.”

I just can’t do without music.

We can’t play if we are ill or not completely fit.

I have no tension. I only play to give my best.

When I started, I didn’t think I would become a great player. It was my passion; I had interest. My parents supported me. In that way, I continued.

Life has changed both on and off the court after the Rio Olympics medal. I have a lot of confidence on the court now and feel anything is possible. I also feel that I have improved my game. Off the court, I do get recognised more now.

Women’s badminton has become so competitive.

I love making friends and make others happy. But I also love to be happy all the time. All that aggression that you see remains on the court only.

Every tournament I have won has been memorable.

Hard work is the key for success.

I have learnt many things, but there’s more to learn. Every day is a new start.

I want to beat everyone I’m playing against.

It is very important to be confident and strong even if you lose, because you know there are tournaments coming up next, and you have to be prepared for it.

What hurts most is whenever I am leading, and then I lose the match, it is disappointing, and there are so many such matches.

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.

Ninety eight percent of the adults in this country are decent, hardworking, honest Americans. It’s the other lousy two percent that get all the publicity. But then, we elected them.

Easy reading is damn hard writing.

Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.

I simply seem to drift. But I sort of allow the drift, because it has a kind of check – it forces me to work harder at what I’m interested in.

It is one of the enjoyments of retirement that you are able to drift through the day at your own pace, easy in the knowledge that you have put hard work and achievement behind you.

Great peace is found in little busy-ness.

Hearts are not had as a gift, But hearts are earned.

You look back and see how hard you worked and how poor you were, and how desperately anxious you were to succeed, and all you can remember is how happy you were.