“I want to beat everyone I’m playing against.”

I was 18 when I was presented with the Arjuna Award. To say it feels really good would be an understatement. But I don’t know how else to convey the feeling. I am grateful for having received this prestigious award at such a young age.

Sometimes you don’t play up to the mark, and you win even then.

Since the Rio Olympics, the expectations are always high, and the responsibilities are also high. I am used to it now. You have to keep going and keep working hard.

While there are many good courts in the country, we need to have good coaches for more players to come up. Not everyone can go to Gopichand Academy, and everyone cannot afford international tournaments.

I think judging a shuttle is different everywhere, so there is a drift, but you have to be used to it. We can’t complain, as I think it is same for all.

You win some and lose some. It’s all part of the game. You have to take it in a very positive way.

I think you can never be a complete player.

I think each player has a different style of play, and every match is different.

Definitely, the aim is to become No.1.

You have to keep on learning all the time unless and until you become perfect in all the strokes.

There are many defining moments in my journey.

Each tournament is different.

Every time I go on to the court, people expect me to get a medal. It is tough, and I can’t win always, but I still have to go out there and give my best.

I have a lot of hunger to win the big titles.

Many players are of the same standard; it all depends on how your strokes land on the other side of court.

I love to experiment with my looks and dresses on and off the court because I love to turn out very well. But, I must add here that just good-looking athletes can’t do anything for their sport.

A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.

The Internal Revenue Service is the real undefeated heavyweight champion.

And even when I was close to defeat, I rose to my feet.

Books of apostates, heretics, schismatics, and all other writers defending heresy or schism or in any attacking the foundations of religion, are altogether prohibited.

The punch that knocks a man out is the punch that he doesn’t see.

Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.

The way to defeat fear: decide on a course of conduct and follow it. Keep so busy and work so hard that you forget about being afraid.

Here’s how I’m going to beat you. I’m going to outwork you. That’s it. That’s all there is to it.