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.
— P. V. Sindhu
I want to beat everyone I'm playing against.
It's always good to win a title.
Be it 'Mary Kom,' 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag,' or 'Dangal,' each one was inspiring in its own way. But my favourite is 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.'
I will keep working on different aspects of my games. It's not so easy, and I need to work on every stroke.
I just can't do without music.
It is hard to lose for everybody.
I am really lucky that I got such good coaches and everything I wanted, right from the infrastructure to proper coaching.
The competition is tough at the international level. There are very good players.
Sometimes it does upset you when you lose in the finals, or even in a quarterfinal or semifinal, especially when you think, 'Maybe I could have played better,' or even if you gave your 100 percent, and even then, you lose.
Most of the times, when I actually have rest time, I am travelling.
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.
Ups and downs will be happening; coming to the final and losing by a point or so should not matter.
Each tournament is different.
Every tournament is important for me.
I consider the All England as like any normal super series tournament.
A small cold and cough can actually stop you from going where you are.
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.
Winning a tournament at the end of the year boosts your confidence a lot.
My long-term goal is to become the world number one player.
There are many defining moments in my journey.
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.
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.
When you lose, you keep thinking, 'I could have done things differently,' but at that moment, you can't do anything, so it is important to let go.
It takes years of practice to become a World No. 1 or 2.
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.
Tennis, at times, I follow, but not much.
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.
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.
Each tournament is equally important.
When you lose in the quarterfinals or semifinals, you actually learn a lot from those mistakes.
I have been playing with boys, which is helpful for me.
I am thankful to my parents. They have done many sacrifices.
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.
There is always scrutiny and pressure from the media. I am always told that I have to win.
I don't fear anyone. I just concentrate on giving my best.
Whoever plays well on a given day, that player wins.
I have worked really hard since the age of eight, so each phase of my life is equally important.
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.
I should not think that I have to win every match and what others will think; that will create extra pressure. I just have to give best on court.
My coaches have always been on my side, motivating me to try harder and harder every day, which is not easy.
Previously, people were like, 'She might win the tournament,' but now it's like, 'She should win the tournament.'
Sometimes you don't play up to the mark, and you win even then.
While I am training, I don't go out for events, so rest days, in a way, take away that time. Apart from that, I just stay at home and rest, maybe relax at home and spend time with family.
It is never the case that I will push myself more for the World Championships and play differently in a Super Series or vice-versa.
Women's badminton has become so competitive.
We can't play if we are ill or not completely fit.
I think each player has a different style of play, and every match is different.
I have no tension. I only play to give my best.
Hard work is the key for success.
