saina nehwal biography in english

Saina Nehwal Height, Age, Husband, Family, Biography & More

(function(v,d,o,ai){ai=d.createelement('script');ai.defer=true;ai.async=true;ai.src=v.location.protocol+o;d.head.appendchild(ai);})(window, document, '//a.vdo.ai/core/v-starsunfolded/vdo.ai.js');, some lesser known facts about saina nehwal.

Saina Nehwal (Childhood) with her parents and sister Abu Chandranshu Nehwal

• Her grandmother was not happy at her birth; as she wanted a boy.
• Her parents have also been state-level badminton champions for Haryana.

Saina Nehwal during their younger days

• Saina did her badminton training from the Gopichand Badminton Academy .
• In 2005, she got selected to play in the under-19 national team and became the U-19 national champion in 2006; after winning Asian Satellite Badminton tournament twice.
• Her mother often calls her “Steffi Saina;” as she has been a huge fan of tennis star “Steffi Graff.”
• She has a brown belt in Karate.

Sachin Tendulkar gifted BMW to Saina Nehwal

Saina Nehwal’s autobiography ‘Playing to Win- My Life On and Off Court’

• In October 2016, she was appointed as a member of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Athletes’ Commission.
• She faced injuries in the year 2016 and 2017, due to which she didn’t play in several tournaments.

Saina Nehwal on the cover of Femina magazine

Saina Nehwal on the set of ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’

• In Hisar, ‘Saina Nehwal Institute of Agricultural Technology, Training & Education’ at ‘Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University’ is named after her.
• She has endorsed numerous famous brands like Vaseline, Fortune Cooking Oil, Emami, Godrej No Marks, Edelweiss Group, Huawei Honor Smartphone, Star Sports, NECC, Indian Overseas Bank, Top Ramen Noodles, Herbalife Nutrition, Yonex,  Iodex, Sahara Group, etc.

Saina Nehwal loves dogs

I draw a lot of inspiration from Narendra sir. I have won medals for the country. I am a very hardworking and I love hardworking persons. I can see Prime Minister Narendra Modi does so much for the country, I want to do something for the country with him.” 

Welcome to ESPN India Edition

Saina Nehwal in numbers: From prodigy to second wind via challenging the Chinese

On April 2, 2015, Saina Nehwal scripted history by becoming the first Indian female badminton player -- and just the second overall after Prakash Padukone in 1980 -- to be ranked World No. 1. To date, she remains the only Indian woman to make it to the top spot. Here's a look at her storied career in numbers:

Teenage phenom: 2006-08

A prodigiously talented teenager, Saina showed an early knack for setting new benchmarks and taking Indian badminton into previously uncharted territory.

A series of firsts

* Saina started playing on the senior circuit in 2006 and achieved success early when she triumphed at the Philippines Open, becoming the first Indian woman to win a four-star tournament. Notably, she was the 86th seed.

* Having finished runner-up to Wang Yihan, a fellow all-time great, at the 2006 World Junior Championships, Saina became the first Indian to win the tournament in 2008, defeating Sayaka Sato 21-9, 21-18 in the final. She remains the only Indian to win the tournament.

* Before that, she had become the first Indian badminton player to reach the quarterfinals at the Olympics (in Beijing, in August 2008). She defeated the fourth seed Wang Chen, silver medallist at the 2007 World Championships, in the third round before losing to Maria Kristin Yulianti in the last eight. The first Indian ever to qualify for the year-ending Superseries Finals, she was also the first from the country to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.

China vs Saina: 2009-12

Saina became only the fifth non-Chinese player -- and the first Indian -- to win a women's singles Superseries title when she triumphed at the Indonesia Open in 2009.

That win marked the start of Saina becoming a serious challenger to the domination of Chinese players -- she went on to win five more Superseries titles until the end of 2012. Only Wang Yihan (14) and Wang Shixian (eight) won more than Saina in the four-year period between 2009 to 2012, while Wang Xin was tied-third with Saina.

Therefore, it was unsurprising that Wang Yihan, Saina and Wang Xin finished second, third and fourth respectively at the 2012 London Olympics, where Saina became the second Indian woman to medal at the Games, after Karnam Malleswari.

Saina won women's singles gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games -- again the first Indian woman to do so.

Best in the world: 2013-15

From the start of the 2014 Australian Open to the end of the same event in 2016, Saina won four titles. In that period, she was one of the two best players in the world, along with Carolina Marin. Her tally of four titles during that time was only exceeded by Marin (five). The biggest achievement of Saina's career came when she became World No. 1 after winning the India Open in 2015.

That year, she also became the first Indian woman to make the final of the two biggest tournaments -- the All England Open and the World Championships. She lost both those matches to Marin and hasn't reached the final of either since.

Career-threatening injury: 2016

Saina was only seeded fifth at the Rio Olympics but -- based on her form over the Olympic cycle -- was one of three favourites along with Marin and defending champion Li Xuerui. However, she exited in the group stage after losing to World No. 61 Marija Ulitina. Upon returning, she had to undergo surgery on her knee. The surgeon who operated on her was surprised she even managed to step on the court in Rio.

Second wind: 2017-18

At the World Championships in 2017, Saina lost in the semis to eventual champion Nozomi Okuhara, but became just the second Indian after PV Sindhu to win two Worlds medals.

The year 2017 brought to an end Saina's remarkable streak of having reached at least one Superseries semi-final every year since 2008. Saina was one of only two women's singles players, the other being Wang Yihan, to achieve that feat.

While Saina did not win a single BWF title in 2018, she saved her best for the big tournaments, winning gold at the Commonwealth Games, where she defeated the reigning Olympic and Worlds silver medallist Sindhu in the final, and bronze at the Asian Games and Asian Championships. Her three medals (all bronzes) are also the most by an Indian at the Asian Championships.

Saina became only the second woman after Helen Troke to win two singles golds at the Commonwealth Games.

She also became the first Indian woman to win a singles medal in badminton at the Asian Games.

Endgame? 2019-20

Saina lost in the first round in three of the five tournaments she has played this year and slipped to 20th in the world rankings, her lowest in a decade. Even as it looks unlikely that Saina might recapture anything close to her best form again, here are a few numbers that show the consistency and longevity that make her one of the best players of all time:

No woman has spent more weeks in the top 10 of the BWF World Rankings since the beginning of 2010 than Saina. She is also one of only two players aged 30 or above who are currently in the top 50 of the BWF women's singles world rankings.

Saina reached the quarterfinals at each of the eight World Championships held between 2009 and 2018 -- the only singles player to do so. Saina also reached the quarterfinals in every edition of the All England Open from 2010 to 2017 -- again the lone singles player to do so in that period.

Number of singles Superseries titles won by Saina over the course of her career. Only four women have more: Wang Yihan (20), Li Xuerui (14), Tai Tzu Ying (12) and Wang Shixian (12).

Saina is the only Indian player to medal at the Olympics and World Championships, and also reach the final of the All England Open.

Only three women have more Superseries, Grand Prix and World Tour titles than Saina. Her total of 20 is exceeded by Wang Yihan (27), Tai Tzu Ying (25) and Li Xuerui (24).

Saina Nehwal Wiki, Height, Age, Husband, Family, Biography & More

Saina Nehwal is an Indian badminton player who has received more than 20 international titles. She is also the first Indian woman to achieve world rank one by the  Badminton World Federation (BWF). By the year 2017, she is the only Indian to win a medal in all three BWF major individual events- the Olympics, the BWF World Junior Championships, and the BWF World Championships. Let’s have a look at her personal and professional life.

Biography/Wiki

Saina Nehwal was born on  17 March 1990 in  Hisar, Haryana, India . Her family currently resides in Hyderabad, India . She is also known by the name Steffi Saina by her mother who is a big fan of the tennis player Steffi Graff . When she was five years old, her family moved from Haryana to Hyderabad because of her father’s job. She started playing badminton to fulfill the dream of her mother who wanted her to become a national level badminton player. She achieved huge success in her badminton career and was honoured with four prestigious awards by the government of India like Arjuna Award in 2009, Padma Shri in 2010, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 2010, and Padma Bhushan in 2016. She is looking forward to open a badminton academy in Haryana.

Physical Appearance

She is the most talented, hardworking, and good-looking Indian girl with athletic figure. She is approximately  5′ 6″ tall and weighs around  65 kg . She has brown eyes and black hair .

Family, Caste & Boyfriend

Saina was born in a middle-class Hindu Jat family to  Harvir Singh Nehwal (Scientist) and  Usha Nehwal . Her parents are former badminton champions in Haryana. She has an elder sister, Abu Chandranshu Nehwal , who used to play volleyball.

Saina Nehwal with her family

Saina Nehwal tied the knot with her long-time boyfriend cum badminton player Parupalli Kashyap on  14 December 2018 in Hyderabad .

Saina Nehwal with Parupalli Kashyap

She did her schooling from Campus School, CCS HAU, Hisar ; Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Public School, Hyderabad ; National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) School, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad ; and  St. Ann’s College for Women, Hyderabad .

Saina Nehwal (Left) with her sister Abu Chandranshu Nehwal (Right)

At the age of 8, Saina Nehwal started playing badminton and got trained in badminton under the guidance of an Indian badminton coach  S. M. Arif . She also received training from  Pullela Gopichand , Nani Prasad Rao , and Vimal Kumar .

Saina Nehwal during their younger days

She made her international debut in 2005 with the  Asian Badminton Satellite tournament. Since then, she won numerous titles as a badminton player both nationally and internationally. In 2016 & 2017, she has suffered from some injuries but recovered soon and won numerous tournaments. During her badminton career, Saina received various medals from the Asian Games, the Asian Championships, the Commonwealth Games, the World Championships, and the Olympics tournaments.

Saina Nehwal during Indonesia Open badminton tournament

Saina Nehwal entered into active politics on 29 January 2020, when she joined the BJP in the mid of the campaigns of the Delhi Assembly elections. After joining the party, Nehwal said,

I draw a lot of inspiration from Narendra sir. I have won medals for the country. I am a very hardworking and I love hardworking persons. I can see Prime Minister Narendra Modi does so much for the country, I want to do something for the country with him.”

Controversy

In January 2022, Saina and Tamil actor Siddharth had a war of words on Twitter over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s security breach in Punjab. Siddharth attracted controversy after he used some derogatory words to reply to Saina Nehwal’s tweet about Prime Minister’s security breach.

Siddharth’s tweet to Saina Nehwal on PM Modi’s security breach in Punjab

Later, Rekha Sharma, the chairperson of the National Commission for Women, demanded action against Siddharth and said that his Twitter account should get banned.

NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma’s tweet about actor Siddharth in which she demanded action against him over his controversial tweet to Saina Nehwal

Following a huge uproar on social media, the actor apologized to Saina Nehwal through a letter that he shared on Twitter on 11 January 2022.

Siddharth’s apology letter to Saina Nehwal

• In 2006, she became the first player to win the Asian Satellite Badminton tournament twice.
• In 2006, she became the first Indian woman and youngest Asian player to win a 4-star Philippines Open tournament.
• In 2008, she became the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships.
• In 2008, she became the first Indian woman to reach the quarter finals at the Olympic Games.
• In 2009, she became the first Indian to win the title of BWF Super Series.
• In 2010, she became the first Indian woman to reach the semi finals of 2010 All-England Super Series.
• In 2011, she became the first Indian singles player to reach the final of the BWF Super Series Masters Finals.
• In 2014, she became the first Indian woman to win the China Open Super Series Premier.
• In 2015, she became the first Indian woman badminton player to reach the finals of the All England Open Badminton Championships.
• In 2015, she became the first Indian woman badminton player to be ranked world number one in the Badminton World Federation in Women’s Singles.
• In 2018, she became the first Indian woman badminton player to win the Asian badminton medal for India at the Asian Games.

Awards & Achievements

In her badminton career, Saina Nehwal achieved huge success and won numerous titles and awards. Here are some of them:

• Bronze Medal at Commonwealth Games in Melbourne
• Won a four-star badminton Philippines Open tournament at Pasig City, Manila
• Won the Philippines Open Grand Prix

Gold Medal at National Games in Guwahati

• Won the Chinese Taipei Open Grand Prix Gold
• Won the World Junior Badminton Championships tournament in Pune
• Most Promising Player of the Year Award by Badminton World Federation (BWF)
• Won the Indonesia Open tournament at Jakarta

Saina Nehwal received Arjuna Award

• Won the Singapore Open Super Series in Lion City
• Won the Yonex Sunrise Indian Open tournament in Chennai
• Bronze Medal at Asian Badminton Championships in New Delhi
• Won the India Open Grand Prix
• Silver Medal in Mixed Team Event at Commonwealth Games in Delhi
• Gold Medal at Commonwealth Games in Delhi

Saina Nehwal won the Hong Kong Open Badminton Super Series

• Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
• Padma Shri Award
• Won the Swiss Open tournament in Basel
• Won the Indonesia Super Series in Jakarta

Saina Nehwal won the bronze medal at 2012 London Olympics in Women’s Singles

• Won the Denmark Open Super Series in Odense
• An honorary doctorate degree by Mangalayatan University
• Bronze Medal at Asian Games
• Won the Australian Badminton Open Super Series
• Won the China Super Series Premier
• Won the India Super Series in New Delhi
• Silver Medal at World Championships in Jakarta

Saina Nehwal won the 2016 Australian Badminton Open Super Series

Saina Nehwal received an honorary doctorate degree in literature by SRM University

Saina Nehwal received Padma Bhushan Award

• Won the Malaysia Masters tournament
• Bronze Medal at World Badminton Championships in Glasgow
• Gold Medal at Commonwealth Games in Women’s Singles

Saina Nehwal won Gold Medal in badminton mixed team event at 2018 Commonwealth Games

• Bronze Medal at Asian Badminton Championships
• Saina Nehwal has a brown belt in Karate.

Sachin Tendulkar gifted BMW to Saina Nehwal

• She is a huge fan of  Roger Federer and Sachin Tendulkar .
• She is a philanthropist and was ranked 18th on the most charitable athletes’ list.
• Saina Nehwal is also a member of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Athletes Commission.
• She has endorsed various popular brands like  Edelweiss Group , Fortune Cooking Oil , Emami , Vaseline , Godrej No Marks , Huawei Honor Smartphone , Star Sports , NECC , Indian Overseas Bank , Herbalife Nutrition , Yonex , Iodex , Sahara Group , Top Ramen Noodles , etc.

Saina Nehwal’s autobiography ‘Playing to Win- My Life On and Off Court’

• In the same year, Saina signed a deal of endorsement worth ₹400 million with the famous sports management company Rhiti Sports but in 2013, she ended the deal with this company and signed with  KWAN Entertainment & Marketing Solutions .
• She made her guest appearance on several famous TV shows like  Satyamev Jayate , Comedy Nights with Kapil , and The Kapil Sharma Show .

Saina Nehwal on the cover of Women’s Health magazine

• A Not for Profit company  Olympic Gold Quest supported her.

Saina Nehwal Institute of Agricultural Technology, Training & Education

• Shah Rukh Khan and Mahesh Babu are her all-time favourite actors.
• Saina Nehwal loves travelling and  Singapore is her favourite destination.
• She likes to eat  Kiwi and Aloo Paratha .

Saina Nehwal loves dogs

Saina Nehwal and Parupalli Kashyap with the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 53

Related Posts

Sandeep Kumar (Kabaddi Player) Wiki, Height, Weight, Age, Family, Biography & More

Deepak Arjun Shinde Wiki, Height, Weight, Age, Girlfriend, Family, Biography & More

Chandran Ranjith Wiki, Height, Weight, Age, Wife, Family, Biography & More

Sanil Shetty Wiki, Height, Age, Girlfriend, Wife, Family, Biography & More

Eileen Gu Wiki, Height, Age, Boyfriend, Family, Biography & More

Naveen Sharma Wiki, Height, Age, Family, Biography & More

Avinash Sable Height, Age, Family, Biography & More

Zheng Wei Chen Wiki, Height, Weight, Age, Family, Biography & More

Chandan Kumar Singh Wiki, Height, Age, Wife, Family, Biography & More

Harika Dronavalli Wiki, Age, Husband, Family, Biography & More

One response.

so inspiring women of india ………..

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

India Votes 2024

‘Oops, you’re biological’: Cartoons, memes on Lok Sabha results flood social media

Editor’s note: The audacity of hope

Fiction: In 1556, an old man documents his family’s story beginning a hundred years earlier

‘Hat-tricky’, ‘BJP falls short’: How newspapers reported Lok Sabha election results

Why the BJP took a hit in Uttar Pradesh

How caste-based discrimination and social conditions shaped the food habits of Marathwada Dalits

Maharashtra results settle the debate over who is the real Shiv Sena and NCP

Watch: Comedian Shyam Rangeela imagines urgent calls to Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu for support

How did the BJP sweep Odisha?

Why Congress isn’t celebrating the Karnataka result despite improving its tally

Pause, rewind, play: How Saina became the first Indian female badminton star to be ranked world No 1

Saina nehwal first reached the world no 2 ranking in 2009 but it took her six more years to be ranked as the best in the world..

Saina Nehwal had expressed her ambition of becoming a World No 1 way back when she was just starting to make waves in the senior circuit. Though she came close a couple of times, rising to the No 2 spot, the pole position always eluded her thanks to the Chinese domination of women’s singles in the first half of the 2010 decade.

Nehwal was world No 2 for almost six months from January to June 2013 on the back of a fine 2012 performance that saw her win the London Olympics bronze medal and the Indonesia and Denmark Superseries Premier crowns apart from the Swiss and Thailand Open Grand Prix. She had also reached the French Open final in that year.

But a dip in form in the second half of 2013 coupled with unhappiness about the way things were going at the Gopichand Academy made Saina wonder whether her career was coming to an abrupt end. She had slipped to world no 9 spot by end of the year and though she went on to win the Australian Open in August 2014, she decided to move to Bengaluru and train under Vimal Kumar after failing to win a medal at the World Championship.

Nehwal failed to win an individual medal at the 2014 Asian Games but there was enough evidence that the spark in her game was back. She went on to win the China Open Superseries Premier in November.

She then reached her first All England Open final in 2015 to jump back to the world No 2 spot. But with Li Xuerei and defending champion Shixian Wang not playing the India Open in the last week of March, both Nehwal and Carolina Marin had a chance to take the top spot. The Spaniard had to win the tournament to go on top.

Nehwal raced through to the semi-finals while in the lower half of the draw, Marin was stretched to three games in the quarter-finals by Nozomi Okuhara. But in the last four round, Ratchanok Intanon stunned the second seed with a hard-fought 19-21, 23-21, 22-20 win over the Spaniard and the Indian ensured the No 1 spot with another straight-games win over Japan’s Yui Hashimoto.

The 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist celebrated her ascent with her first India Open title without dropping a game with 21-16, 21-14 win over Intanon.

When the rankings were officially updated on April 2, Saina had become the first non-Chinese to claim the top spot since Tine Baun had occupied that position in 2010 and ended Xuerui’s reign at the summit since Dec 27, 2012.

Nehwal and Xuerui alternately held the top spot till Marin pipped both of them to the top spot in the second week of June that year.

Here are the two interviews in which Saina spoke of her ambitions of becoming a world No 1 when she was 18 and then what she felt after achieving that feat.

• Badminton World Federation
• Saina Nehwal

• Sports Stars
• Birthdays List

Saina Nehwal

Saina Nehwal, born on March 17, 1990, in India, is a renowned badminton player. Nehwal's journey in badminton began at a young age, and she quickly rose to prominence with her exceptional skills. She became the first Indian woman to win a medal in badminton at the Olympics when she clinched bronze at the 2012 London Games. Throughout her career, Nehwal has won numerous championships, including the World Championships and Commonwealth Games. Her determination and perseverance have inspired many aspiring athletes in India and around the world. Off the court, she remains a role model, known for her philanthropy and advocacy.

Here are some of her career achievements:

• Bagged gold medals at the Commonwealth Games of 2018 in women's singles and mixed team events 
• Earned a bronze medal at the IBF World Championships of 2017 in women's singles event 
• Two bronze medals in women's singles at the Asian Championships, held in 2010 in New Delhi and 2016 in Wuhan
• Received the third highest civilian award 'Padma Bhushan' in 2016
• Bronze medal in women's singles at the London Olympics in 2012
• Gold medal in women's singles at the Commonwealth Games, held in New Delhi in 2010
• Gold medal in Girl's singles at the World Junior Championships, held in Pune in 2008
• Honoured with the title of 'Padma Shri' in 2010
• Bestowed with Arjuna Award by the Government of India in 2009
• Bestowed with Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 2010
• Gold medal in Girl's singles at the Commonwealth Youth Games, held in Pune in 2008
• Entitled as the 'Most Promising Player of the Year' in 2008 by Badminton World Federation

What do you think about the above article?

• Click to add a comment...

• Click To Hide

Kindly log in to use this feature.

Your Account has been Suspended

TYRE PARTNER

ASSOCIATE PARTNER

saina nehwal

• Born : 17 March 1990
• Career : Sports - Badminton

Saina Nehwal is an Indian professional badminton singles player. A former world no. 1, she has won over 24 international titles, which includes eleven Superseries titles. Although she reached the world's 2nd in the 2009, it was only in 2015 that she was able to attain the world no. 1 ranking, thereby becoming the only female player from India and overall the second Indian player – after Prakash Padukone – to achieve this feat. She has represented India three times in the Olym More…

Parupalli Kashyap Is Saina Nehwal’s ‘Favourite Telugu Singer’. That’s It, That’s The Headline

'Misogynistic People': Olympic Medalist Saina Nehwal Slams Congress MLA for 'Woman Should be Restricted to Kitchen' Remark

Saina Nehwal Turns 34: Indian Shuttler’s Records and Achievements

Saina Nehwal Calls Sidharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani 'Hottest Jodi' With A Pic From Anant Ambani's Pre-Wedding Bash

Mark Zuckerberg To Bill Gates: Guests Show Up In Traditional Ensembles At Anant Ambani, Radhika Merchant’s Pre-Wedding Festivities

Saina Nehwal Poses With Katrina Kaif, Vicky Kaushal At Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant's Pre-Wedding Bash

Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant Pre-Wedding Gala: A Peek Inside the Luxurious Guest Tents

MS Dhoni, Zaheer Khan, Ishan Kishan Arrive in Jamnagar For Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant Pre-wedding

Must Have Faith in Yourself, Everything is Possible: Saina Nehwal Advises Students in Kota

Saina Nehwal And Husband Parupalli Kashyap Look Stellar At A Bollywood Party | N18S | #shorts

Saina Nehwal Joins Badminton Pros Academy as Mentor to Nurture Indian Badminton

Satwik-Chirag Duo Rise To Career-Best No. 2 Spot In Latest BWF Rankings

Over 2 Lakh Carry Out Amarnath Yatra in 16 Days; Sai Pallavi, Saina Nehwal Among Pilgrims

Taipei Open: HS Prannoy to Lead India's Challenge, Saina Nehwal in Fray Too

Thailand Open: Kiran George Stuns Shi Yuqi; Saina Nehwal and Ashmita Chaliha Win Too

Saina Nehwal to Miss BAI's Asian Games Trials Citing Issues Pertaining to Fitness

Saina Nehwal Makes First Round Exit from Orleans Masters

Saina Nehwal Turns 33: A Look at Ace Indian Badminton Player's Achievements and Memorable Wins

Shahid Heaps Praises On Kiara Advani | Bollywood Wishes Janhvi Kapoor On Her Birthday | News Wrap

Indonesia Masters 2023: Lakshya Sen Wins, Saina Nehwal Loses in Second Round

• Milano Cortina 2026
• Brisbane 2032
• Olympic Refuge Foundation
• Olympic Games
• Olympic Channel
• Let's Move

Saina Nehwal inspired by Nadal and Federer to fight for place at Tokyo 2020: "I can be the best in the world"

India's superstar shuttler has Tokyo 2020 in her sights and is aiming to find her rhythm once more 

When Saina Newhal won badminton bronze at London 2012 at just 22 years of age, many saw it as just the beginning.

Now 30, Nehwal has slipped to No.22 in the world rankings, but giving up is not in her nature.

"I know Olympics is in everyone's head. It's something very big but before that you have to think about so many tournaments. I've to get back to my rhythm and win against the players who are in top-20," Nehwal said in a virtual interactive session hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce.

I'm definitely in the race." - Saina Nehwal

"There's some two-three months' of training before that. You have to be perfectly fine and play seven-eight tournaments, after that only I will think about the Olympics. But yes, I'm definitely in the race. I want to do well and I'm working hard for that."

Nehwal reached World No.1 in 2015, winning silver at the World Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia, but crashed out of Rio 2016 in the group stage, stunned by Ukranian Marija Ulitina in a loss that sent shockwaves through India.

Tokyo 2020 could represent a shot at Olympic redemption and she's looking to other Olympic stars for inspiration.

Nadal and Federer longevity inspires Saina Nehwal

Roger Federer (39) and Rafa Nadal (34) may be tennis players, but both Olympic gold medallists inspire Nehwal as their careers continue at the top of the game.

Both Federer and Nadal plan to play at Tokyo 2020 , Federer will be 40 and Nadal 35, and Nehwal is determined to join them.

"I can see great examples in Djokovic, Federer, Nadal, Serena doing so well. Why not you have to see how it goes? I'm a fighter and I will get back. When he can do it, why can't I?" she said.

"Yes, there were times when I felt I have to 'stop playing' and 'I can't win anymore'. But then I thought I could push it. I love to fight. What will I do sitting at home. This is my life, this is my job."

"I can be the best in the world" - Saina Nehwal

The former world number one recently pulled out of the Denmark Open , the first post Covid-19 pandemic shutdown tournament that restarted international play.

“I withdrew from Denmark Open. I decided that I will start the season from January only with the Asian tour,” she said at the time.

Now she's focussed on her fitness , felling inspired, and yesterday said she can become the best in the world again.

"I'm doing well. Injuries play a big role and that happened to me. As of now, I feel good. I can do it, I can be the best in the world.

"It's always been there in my head. I've to correct my niggles. Improvement is definitely happening. Let's see how I play. I don't want to take that action suddenly. I want to see how badly I lose, if I'm not capable of playing anymore."

Related content

Saina Nehwal at age 19

Saina nehwal is india’s first badminton superstar, nehwal says biopic in good hands with kapoor in lead role, saina nehwal’s london olympic bronze medal a gamechanger for indian badminton, how well do you know: saina nehwal.