“It was mummy, who, despite her temper, was instrumental in making think like a champion,” said Hyderabad’s jewel in the crown, Saina Nehwal, during the launch of her autobiography, Playing to win, in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

“I remember once asking her,” Saina continued, “What the difference was between me and the World No.1 player. She didn’t laugh at the question or think I was setting my goals too high. Instead, she looked me in the eye and explained it to me. It made me believe that I could dream big.”

That set the tone for the unveiling of what was clearly something very close to the 22-year-old badminton player’s heart. Looking at her spectacular accomplishments that include as Olympic bronze medal, it is easy to forget that Saina is very young and is still emotionally dependent on her parents and her coach, whom she refers to as “the most important person” in her life in another excerpt. “Gopi sir is a lot cooler than some of the other coaches I have known. He is almost Buddha-like in his patience and even temper.

He rarely reacted to any of our outbursts,” read another excerpt.
“It’s a very special day for me,” Saina said, referring to the occasion, which was attended by fellow Olympic bronze medallist, shooter Gagan Narang, among others. “I never thought my first auto-biography would be released at the age of 22,” she added.

Saina was also grateful to her publisher, Penguin India, for their support. A few months ago, Penguin had approached Saina with the idea and promised all possible support, including someone to help her write. Saina spent a lot of time with her co-author, Aravinda, and the duo brought out the book in four months’ time.

“It (the book) really would inspire all young kids. It is the journey of a champion — how I became a badminton player, what all I did to be a champion. How I worked hard from the age of 9 to 22, almost 13 years. All the hard work put in by my coach and parents,” Saina said of the book.

When it was playfully suggested on the occasion that Saina enter the public domain and join politics, pat came the reply: “I’ll definitely think about it. Many states have made some very good offers to me,” Saina said, tongue firmly in cheek.

The book was supposed to be launched in New Delhi first, but Saina wanted it to take place in Hyderabad. “This city has made me a champion, so I asked them to do it here first and then in New Delhi. The book is great. It is written in simple words, I’m sure the younger generation will like it,” she said.

Referring to the recent honourary doctorate conferred upon her by a university in Uttar Pradesh, Gagan asked Saina what she would like to see change in the country. After musing about the question for a few moments, Saina replied, “More sponsors should come out and support sportspersons, not just the ones who do well.

Especially when someone is starting out, that support would give them the confidence. We are no less than the Chinese. We have talent, we just need the support. Once that happens, even we can get 60 medals or more.”

It was recently reported that Saina’s planning to start a badminton academy in Bengaluru and when asked why Bengaluru and not Hyderabad, she said: “I don’t think I should start an academy in Hyderabad as we already have the Gopichand Academy here.”

In a nutshell, Saina loves her parents, coach and friends, has ice cream to celebrate victories and sacrifices a lot for her country.
That’s playing to win, the Saina way.