No added pressure as it's my first time at Olympics; Saina an inspiration: PV Sindhu

WOMEN'S SINGLES SHUTTLER PV SINDHU will feature for the first time in the Olympics this year and she is thrilled to be part of the 7 player Indian contingent.

Talking at a media interaction, she said,

"It's much more than world championships. The ultimate goal for anyone is to get a medal in the Olympics where the conditions and environment are totally different. First of all I am very excited. It's my first Olympics."

The 20-year-old expressed her joy that this year there were more shuttlers as compared to the last Olympics.

"It's great that seven players have been selected for the Olympics, including the women's doubles team for the second time and the men's doubles team for the first time. It's also Srikanth's first time. He too will be excited. I wish all of us play well and give our best."

The training and preparations are in full swing but she also stressed upon the fact that they need to keep themselves fit and healthy.

"We have been training hard. We need to push ourselves more. We are doing training off and on court, but the main thing is to keep ourselves fit and healthy. We need to be healthy as well as injury free."

She further added that since it's her first time she doesn't know what it feels like to play at the grand stage and therefore feels no extra pressure.

"It's the Olympic Games, so you need to play well. Everything is in your mind, but nothing like added pressure. It's really exciting, but I may not know till I play a match as it's the first time for me."

Though she did not want to say which of them can win a medal, she mentioned two names that according to her are challenging opponents.

" We can't say one person can win as every person - from 1-20 ranking - is capable of winning a medal. Whoever plays well on that day will be the winner. We can't take it easy against anyone. As of now Ratchanok, is really challenging and is doing really well. I have recently played with her. And also Tai, she has also been playing well. I would have beaten her, but missed it by 2-3 points. It depends on the day. The best players are going to come to the Olympics. We cannot say one is easy and another is difficult, as every player has different style of play," she explained.

Sindhu will turn 21 just a month before the Olympics, she was also of high praises for her senior compatriot, Saina Nehwal.

"It's always good for the country that she has been doing really well and has brought many laurels. She has been achieving and achieved a lot for the country. At the same time (looking at her feats), I feel I should play much better and work harder to prove myself. Basically she has been a inspiration. She has much more experience as a player and it's her third Olympics."

The World No. 10 also recalled the time when Saina returned to Hyderabad with the Bronze medal won at the London Olympics in 2012.

"When she came back we all congratulated her. There was a big thing, people coming and greeting her. It felt great."