Jwala Gutta

“I put on weight easily.”

“You are patriotic when you condemn and fight for fellow citizens. That is patriotism for me.”

“I am born to play badminton and can't think of anything else.”

“I wanted to do whatever I can for Olympics. I just want to give my best shot.”

“In doubles there was nobody before me. I have changed how people look at doubles.”

“The ultimate goal is Olympics.”

“I'm a proud feminist, people get irritated with that word... but we need feminism in our country.”

“I kind of missed playing mixed doubles.”

“From childhood I have played for India. I have represented India. I have always been a proud Indian.”

“Before I have attended camps at many places such as Bangalore, Jalandhar, and after 2006 it has only been happening at the Gopichand academy in Hyderabad. I had no problems since I live there, but it is not fair. Why camps only in Hyderabad?”

“I come from a generation where I did not have any knowledge about racism, trolling or degrading someone because we hardly used to do it to other people.”

“It is not fair; we live in such a hypocritical society where only film stars are supposed to dress up. It is almost like the shabbier you look, the more focused you are in your game.”

“In fact, I am a bit apprehensive about biopics on sporting personalities in our country after seeing a few films. But my biopic is not going to be the same; it's completely different.”

“I have always played under pressure because I have always played for my team in doubles and mixed doubles and it was always like if the doubles pair win then the team wins.”

“I stopped playing mixed doubles and there is no result in mixed doubles. I was world number six. People who are talking about me and my performance and questioning my career and my achievements, where is the next mixed doubles pair, please show it to me. I would like to know.”

“I really don't remember my first meeting with Arif Sir.”

“I don't think we can even compare ourselves to the Japanese or the Chinese players in any way, given their richly-funded programs and their methodical approach to sport.”

“If you keep winning all the time, you may not learn a lot, but failure has a lot to teach.”

“In China or in the U.S., the government program takes over promising sporting talent at a very early age and then financially secures their life. They get educated.”

“The outside world hardly knows me and thinks Jwala is a celebrity.”