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

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.

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

Every tournament is important for me.

From when I was a young boy, I read books on weapons and tanks and combat. I was so interested in the army.

From when I was a young boy, I read books on weapons and tanks and combat. I was so interested in the army.

Boys laugh at what they put girls through – but they won’t be laughing when – they’re wiping tears off their daughters face for the same reason.

A mother takes twenty years to make a man of her boy, and another woman makes a fool of him in twenty minutes.

It is easier to build a boy than to mend a man.

Boyz ain’t playing around man!

Never trust to general impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details.

When a role for a young guy is being offered to me, I think of River Phoenix. It feels like a loss.