Consider Olympics as just another tournament; Tai Tzu Ying a mystery girl: Saina Nehwal

SAINA NEHWAL is the country's top shuttler and no denying that. She will feature in her third Olympics next month in Rio. She won Bronze four years back in London and once again she is ready to take the world by a storm. A lot has changed since then, many more titles and recognition.

"The changes are that I became world no.1. I won the World Championship silver medal. I beat a couple of top players whom I had never defeated before. When I started playing, I didn’t even think I would play one Olympics,” said Saina in an interview to Deccan Chronicle.

Olympics is a prestigious event and it is a dream of every athlete to play and back it up with a medal. Saina is among those who has been there, done that.

"It’s not easy to describe how you feel when you get a medal. It’s like a dream. There are still four weeks. I am preparing hard. Everyone has one aim, getting a medal. I am really happy that in badminton, we are seven of us (going to Rio). All of us have been performing well from last 2-3 years. So I am sure that we have a lot of chances in getting medals in almost every event. About the others, I would just say all the best and we have the capability to do well."

She advices on how to deal with the pressure of playing at a high level event.

"Just forget Olympics and take it as Rio Super Series. Take it as another tournament. We have a lot of time in between to prepare and get to a higher level."

The 26-year-old has raised the hopes and expectations of her fans and well wishers after she won the Australian Open Super Series last month.

"The Australian win was unbelievable after my performance against Carolina (Marin) in Indonesia. Yet I started in the first round and went on to win the tournament. For Rio, there is time for a lot of things, for preparation, for strategy and I can prepare well because I will get the draw three weeks ahead. It is the toughest tournament and it happens once in four years. There is no round in the Olympics which will be easy."

She realises it is not an easy task ahead and stated that Carolina Marin, Wang Yihan, Intanon, Li Xuerui as strong contenders and calls Tai Tzu Ying as the mystery girl.

"There is one girl who is still a mystery for me.. Tai Tzu Ying. I hope I solve that puzzle as well. She is a very technical player. Everyone will be preparing hard and there will be lots of expectation and pressure. Hopefully I can play well."