Fitness is the key. You need to have strokes and stamina and agility; you need to exercise really well. On-court and off-court are equally important.
There will be many obstacles in the pursuit of your dreams. I had long hours of training, balancing studies and badminton.
I went to school like any other regular student till Class VIII, and my favourite subject was math. From Class IX, things got a little difficult to manage. I was inclined towards studies, but then I also had to give time to badminton.
Women's badminton has become so competitive.
When you are injured, you need to strengthen yourself very well to make a comeback very confidently.
A small cold and cough can actually stop you from going where you are.
My period days didn't make me falter: they made me more determined to pursue my dreams.
I like Telugu movies, then comes Bollywood and then English movies. In Tollywood, I like Mahesh Babu and Prabhas. But no, I don't watch all their movies. I first find out if the movie is nice. If it's a flop, I don't watch it.
I would love to act in a film if it is based on my life. But then it all depends on who is making it and how much time it would require for me to shoot.
Playing for Hyderabad Hunters is a very good feeling.
The competition is tough at the international level. There are very good players.
Nagpur to Kanyakumari and Kashmir, future Olympic medallists can come from anywhere. It is the passion that drives you, not the city, provided you get enough facilities.
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.
The Olympic medal gave me a lot of confidence, and I went and won my first Super Series in Hong Kong. So in that regards, what Rio did was give me extra motivation and the confidence that now anything can happen.
The key is not being overconfident. You should not think that because I'm a top-ranked player, I will win this game. You have to be focused.
The year 2017 has been really good for me. Definitely, a lot of positive things to learn from.
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.
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.
Life has changed after Rio. Winning a silver medal was a huge moment for me. It has come with a lot of responsibilities.
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.
