- 'Last time, I was very fortunate to get the bronze medal. So, hopefully, this time, if I play, I hope to get at least one medal for the country.'
India's World No. 2 badminton player Saina Nehwal is aiming to be free of injuries in the run-up to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro later this year.
"Last time, I was very fortunate to get the bronze medal. So, hopefully, this time, if I play, I hope to get at least one medal for the country. I hope to be injury free to participate in the Rio Olympics," Saina, who is recovering from a foot injury, said on Monday.
"I will be a proud moment for me to represent India for the third time [at the Olympics]," she added.
Saina had pulled out of Badminton Asia Team Championships because of injury earlier this month, and also exempted herself from participating in the Lucknow Open and South Asian Championships to work on her fitness.
Asked whether India can expect a gold medal from her at the Rio Games, Saina replied, "Let us see, I cannot predict. I am not God to predict what I am going to get, but I will work hard, and will do my best."
Saina claimed she took time off from some important tournaments because she would hardly get any chance to recover from injury post June ahead of the Olympic Games in August.
"I opted out from PBL (Premier Badminton League) and South Asian Championship, and also other tournaments, because I wanted to be fully fit by February. I knew I will not have time to recover post-June. I was completely out of shape ... I am now playing better. Lets see how it goes about," she said.
Asked whether she looks at marriage as an inspiration or a stumbling block to achieve glory, Saina said, "For many, including our own Saina Mirza and Kim Clijsters, marriage could have been an inspiration to scale new heights in sports, but as of now, I have not given a thought to get married.
"I have no fear either. Every girl has to get married. Marriage will happen - it has to happen. There is a particular time for it."
