Saying that it is a very special day of her life, Saina Nehwal launched her book, ‘Playing To Win,’ here on Wednesday.
“I never expected my first autobiography will be released at the age of 22 years. I’m happy. I hope it will inspire all the kids. It is a journey of a champion. How I became a badminton player. What all I did to be a champion. How I worked hard at the age of nine and it is about 13 years of hard work what I have put in by the coaches and parents,’’ says Saina of her autobiography.
Saina once again attributed her success to her mother Usha Rani and coach Pullela Gopichand. “My mom, I loved her a lot. She has pushed me to become a champion. It is my mummy, despite her temper, who was instrumental in making me think like a champion. I remember asking her what was the difference between me and the world number one player. She did not laugh but thought I was setting goals. She looked at my eyes and said the best player would be better than me. She made me feel I could dream big. I began to do so. I knew I had lot of work to do to go to the top. But the door was opening in front of me and I stuck down with some sort of confidence, thanks to mummy.
“The second important person in my life was Gopi sir. He is much cooler than other coaches. He almost has Buddha like temper, rarely reacting to our temper. I have a great comfort level with him. He always encourages me saying: ‘you have done so well for India, you are gold’.”
Saina said she is not clear what she will do after she retires from the game. “It is bit emotional for all of us, once I stop playing. A lot of things will end, including the endorsements. But behind that I don’t know where the life will take me. It doesn’t scare me so much. There is so much work that my game needs of me now and I have to give my complete attention. But the games are to be played and matches to be won.’’
The World number three said Olympic medal and Commonwealth gold are two important things in her life till now. “It is more than anything to me. I always wanted to become an Olympian at the age of nine. But winning at London, it is the first thing. I really can’t forget. Second thing is winning Commonwealth Games gold.’’
Saina pointed out it is still a long journey till 2016 Rio Olympics.
“There are lot of other tournaments in between and I’m very happy that I won the Denmark Open, the first tournament after London Olympics and beating world number one (Wang Yihan). It is a good beginning. The next year it is going to be very difficult, physically and mentally as it is difficult to maintain consistency as a sportsperson. I know I can do well in the next Olympics but I’m not looking that far.
On her two important things that made her a champion player, she said hard work and other one is discipline. “When my coach asks me do it, I do it perfectly but that is a very good quality in me. You need to have a bit of talent to earn laurels. It is 60 per cent of hard work and 40 per cent of talent,’’ said Saina, who added she spends nine to ten hours on court.
Olympic shooting bronze medalist Gagan Narang was also present during the launch of the book.