Saina Nehwal

I do not fear anybody on the field or in society, but I fear at night when I am away from my parents. I am scared of the unknown described in horror movies.

I really thank my parents for giving me the good sense to not get into anything wrong. There are many people around who like controversies, and I actually wonder how do they do it. I don't have the courage to get into controversies. There are people who love it; I find it silly.

I have always wanted an Olympic medal. I always wanted to see India's national flag going up at the podium.

My hero is Roger Federer.

I am a huge Bollywood fan, and my favourite actor of all time is Shah Rukh Khan.

After I win a match, I celebrate it by having an ice cream.

Rankings are not so important. I am only focused on winning tournaments.

I think studies are really important and shouldn't be compromised.

I want to see more sports in schools.

At nine, my mom used to tell me she saw an Olympic medalist in me. I used to take it as a joke, but she was very serious.

Once you are satisfied with your goal, it is the real happiness.

When I was a kid, my parents would play badminton, but I hardly joined them. I'd just pick up their racquets and fiddle around. Check out how the racquet was made... toss it around to see how light it was! At the time, I didn't even know I'd play badminton.

All sports should get support from the government and corporate bodies.

My schedule is too overwhelmingly full to think about the future.

I have turned down so many endorsements. My phone never stops ringing.

Unlike most youngsters who have school as their 'second home' where they meet and make friends, for me playtime has been at the Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad. When I am not playing a tournament, my days are spent at the Academy with my coaches, physiotherapists and colleagues, who are like family. We laugh and have so much fun.

When people say I have become a celebrity, I remind them of fame's flip side. For instance, if I want to watch a movie in a cinema, I have to enter through a side exit just before the film begins and leave by the same exit before the credits roll.

My dream is to see India as a nation of well-looked-after and respected sportspeople in all fields.

Any girl who likes watching movies would like to work in them and would want to do all of that. I'm also one of them. But people know me for badminton and love me for it. So I'd stick to it right now. But maybe after badminton, I'll think about it.

I love winning more than I love playing badminton. Winning is everything.

Badminton is not as glamorous as cricket.

My philosophy is to not be scared of anyone. If I play well, great; if I don't, I learn from the match and move on.

I cannot believe there is caste system in society; I cannot believe people are judged on the basis of their prosperity.

My uncles and other relatives are against encouraging girls in every aspect, and that includes sports. I hardly interact with them. My parents are more open. They back me all the way.

I am a human being. When you are frustrated, you do cry. It's more than once that I cried.