What was the first thing you did when you got back home? We landed in Hyderabad pretty late at night. All I was looking forward to was heading home and sleeping in my bed, in my room. It's been such a long time and I missed my bed. It felt great the next morning after a good night's sleep.
What's your homecoming itinerary like usually?
The very next day after I arrived in the city, I went to practice. I'm not much of a party person. So you won't find me or Shoaib hitting the nightspots. We've been at home spending time with the family and a few friends who came over. But my current object of interest is the new kitchen at my place. It's really cute, so we are constantly walking in and out of the kitchen, admiring it.
Have you tried your hand at cooking in your new kitchen?
Oh! Not yet. We've mostly been going out to quiet dinners.
What is it about the city that you miss most when you are away?
Apart from my home, it's the food. Everyone knows what a big foodie I am and when it comes to cuisine, Hyderabadi food tops the list for me.
You've hit a purple patch with your form, beginning with the Commonwealth Games...
Since 2005 I have been struggling with injuries. This is the first time I have been injury-free for a year straight. I have been working hard on my fitness and I'm happy it's paying off.
Do you fear that your form might take a dip again?
I'm not insecure. I have faith in God. I believe in destiny. I'm ready for everything that comes my way. I've accepted this truth and it makes me very happy.
You sound so philosophical...
If you are happy with yourself, everything falls in place for you. You just have to battle the hard times. As far as I'm concerned, I feel the best is yet to come.
There's a lot of brouhaha about Badminton World Federation's new ruling that women players have to wear skirts on the court to make the sport glamorous. Women's tennis too is thought to be more about glamour...
People who think that way don't understand the sport at all. Such statements are nothing short of ignorant.
You have got bad press in the city. Why is that?
Seriously, I fail to understand that. There are things written about me, but what can I do? I don't know where I have gone wrong. But I've learnt not to be upset about it anymore. I must be really important for them to churn out stuff on me (laughs).
Has marriage changed you?
Absolutely. Shoaib is the best thing to have happened to me. Marriage has brought about a lot of positivity in my life and given me a lot to hold on to.
When Shoaib and you are together, the limelight is mostly on you...
It's like an unsaid thing between the two of us that when the shutterbugs are around, he mostly takes the backseat. As a couple, we are very proud of each other and our achievements. Shoaib is a very shy person. I don't think he takes the backseat deliberately, that's just who he is.
Comments
Post a Comment