Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

I am getting used to all these records: Saina

Last updated on: July 15, 2009 
Saina Nehwal

The queen of Indian badminton is revelling in her new star status after winning the Indonesian Open and becoming the first Indian to win a Super Series tournament.

Nineteen-year-old Saina Nehwal's rise in the world of badminton over the last 12 months is phenomenal. She was named the world's most promising junior in 2008 and after some top-notch performances this year is perched sixth in the world rankings.

"I still can't believe that I won the tournament. I am the first Indian to win the Philippines Open, first Indian to win the Chinese Taipei Open, first Indian to reach the quarter-finals at the Olympics, so I am getting used to all these records of the being first Indian girl to achieve various milestones," she told rediff.com in an exclusive interview.

The Hyderabad youngster also revealed that emotions got the better off her in the quarter-final loss at the Beijing Olympics.

"I could have even won that Olympics quarter-final match, but my mind went just blank. I got overexcited, because Olympic gold is my dream and I was so close to it. I was already thinking of playing the semi-finals once I took that big lead; but things changed fast, and it turned out to be a bad day for me.

I could not sleep for the next few days after that match. I kept it in my mind that my aim is to win an Olympic gold," said Saina.