One of Saina Nehwal's earliest encounters with sports is being wheeled to the training courts in a pram while her mother Usha Rani practised. Born to athletic parents who played university and state-level badminton, the 25-year-old sportswoman—currently ranked world number one in the women's singles 2015 category by the Badminton World Federation—has gone on to forge many firsts, like being the first Indian after Prakash Padukone to become world number one. But it's not all so serious: Nehwal's pretty talented in the Dubsmash department too. There's a lot to love about her; we break it down to a neat seven.
She's cool about her accolades The first Indian woman to be ranked number one by the Badminton World Federation in the women's singles category, bronze medal winner at the London Olympics 2012 and with titles like the Padma Shri (2010) and Padma Bhushan this year, Rajiv Khel Ratan (2010) and Arjuna Award (2009), Nehwal remains down-to-earth and ready to share credit. “Opportunities and facilities are a prerequisite for a career in sports. Unfortunately, it's not common in India, with 65 per cent of its population living in villages. Had it not been for the encouragement from my parents and coaches and had I not shifted from a small town like Hisar to Hyderabad, I wouldn't have been here,” she says.
She is a fitness buff Few know that Nehwal has a brown belt in karate. “I occasionally do zumba as well,” she says. She trained under Dinaz Vervatwala, a popular acrobat instructor in Hyderabad, and her current workout includes “lots of cardio, weights, stretches and practising the game.”
She prefers chapatis over chia While many sportspersons swear by their daily dose of quinoa, microgreens and green smoothies, Nehwal thinks nothing beats an Indian meal. “I eat a balanced meal of wholewheat chapatis, a little rice, a freshly prepared bowl of pulses, chicken and lots of yoghurt.”
She has role models “I admire different players for different qualities—Roger Federer for his consistency on the field, Sachin Tendulkar for his tenacity, continuity and fairness, and Abhinav Singh Bindra for his simplicity and eagerness to win.”
She values family Scroll through Nehwal's social media pages and you'll see photographs with her dad. “I'm very close to my father. Today, he manages my portfolio. We have travelled the world together. Sometimes, he clicks pictures and shares them with my fans. My mother too is proud [of my achievements] but she doesn't use a cell phone, so you will rarely see us posing,” she says.
She is a wily competitor Before a game, Nehwal likes relaxing in her room. But she knows how to use her free time. “I usually watch my opponent's game on the laptop. It's important to understand their game. Even a fraction of a second can make you win or lose the match,” says Nehwal.
She strives for the greater good Whether it's the Kurnool floods or the recent Nepal earthquake, Nehwal generously donates to relief funds across causes. “But my biggest goal is to educate young girls to help them develop a love for sports, especially in rural India,” she says. She aspires to make sports fellowships widely available and organise sports-centred clinics. “By doing so, these youngsters can earn a respectable living and employment opportunities via the sports quota, while also growing into healthier adults.” In 2012, Nehwal donated a huge sum to help Girisha Hosanagara Nagarajegowda, an athlete who participated in the Paralympic games held in London and later won the silver medal for high jump.
