Heading for her first-ever Olympics, PVS Sindhu called fellow shuttler and 2012 Olympics bronze-medalist Saina Nehwal an inspiration and hoped to learn from her fighting spirit. The 20-year old, however, said that there will be no love lost if she has to face Saina on court at the quadrennial event.

In an exclusive to interview to DNA India, Sindhu said, "The fact that she's done it before is all the inspiration I need. She has a very good fighting spirit every time she sets foot on court. You have to learn this from her. Being her third appearance at the Olympics, I haven't spoken to her about what it's like to play there. I haven't even seen her medal”.

Reminiscing about Saina's win four years back at the London Olympics and the glorious reception she received at home, Sindhu added, "I remember I didn't see the match live since I was playing an U-16 tournament in Hyderabad. I remember the reception Saina got at the airport and when she came to the academy (Gopichand Badminton Academy). And yes, I did think that one day I might get the chance to receive the same and here's my shot now".

Sindhu talked about how she has come through as a top-level player and described her intentions going into the Olympics. "From an U-16 kid watching Saina win bronze to being the second woman to represent the country in the singles, I feel I have come a long way," she told DNA.