Definitely, I'm in race for Olympics: Saina Nehwal

Indian badminton star Saina Nehwal on Saturday said she's definitely in race for Tokyo Olympics but before that she has to get back to her rhythm and win tournaments.

2012 London Olympics bronze medallist, who has slipped to 22nd in Badminton World Federation's Tokyo Olympics qualification rankings, has recently struggled with niggles and is likely to return to action in next year's Asian Tour.

"I kw Olympics is in everyone's head. It's something very big but before that you have to think about so many tournaments. I've to get back to my rhythm and win against players who are in top-20," Nehwal said in a virtual interactive session hosted by Indian Chamber of Commerce.

"re's some two-three months' of training before that. You have to be perfectly fine and play seven-eight tournaments, after that only I will think about Olympics. But yes, I'm definitely in race. I want to do well and I'm working hard for that." A big fan of tennis superstar Roger Federer, 30-year-old Saina said if Swiss ace along with likes of vak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams can go strong at t so a young , she too can.

"I can see great examples in Djokovic, Federer, Nadal, Serena doing so well. Why t you have to see how it goes? I'm a fighter and I will get back. When he can do it, why can't I?" she said.

"Yes, re were times when I felt I have to 'stop playing' and 'I can't win anymore'. But n I thought I could push it.

"I love to fight. What will I do sitting at home. This is my life, this is my job," she added.

former world number one, who recently pulled out of Denmark Open that restarted international calendar post COVID-19 pandemic halt, furr said she can become best in world again.

"I'm doing well. Injuries play a big role and that happened to me. As of w, I feel good. I can do it, I can be best in world. It's always been re in my head. I've to correct my niggles. Improvement is definitely happening.

"Let's how I play. I don't want to take that action suddenly. I want to see how badly I lose, if I'm t capable of playing anymore," she signed off.