Playing to Win

by Saina Nehwal

'. . . being a player from India defines who I am. When I play, it's for my parents, my coach, and my country.' Meet Saina Nehwal-India's star badminton player and World Number 4, Padma Shri and Khel Ratna awardee, the girl who brought laurels to India by winning an Olympic medal at the age of twenty-two. In this fascinating memoir, she talks about her childhood and growing-up years; her relationship with the most important people in her life; the ups and downs of her celebrated career, from district level wins to the Olympics; and the sacrifices needed to succeed in any sport. She also reveals little-known facts and offers a peek into her many avatars-daughter, sister, student, and the regular girl behind the badminton prodigy. Find out what a typical day in Saina's life is like-rigorous training, a strict diet, and no parties or sleepovers. But it's not all work and no play; Saina loves to shop, eat ice cream (post wins only), and play games on her iPad! With candid photographs and badminton tips from the pro herself, this book showcases the making of a badminton champ-in her own words.

Genres: Biography, Sports, Nonfiction, Autobiography

Unknown Binding

First published December 15, 2012

Reviews

[Avinash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy Birthday Saina, keep Shining:)

I think the best time to write an autobiography for a sports person is right after his/her retirement, not too early not too late and this is the normal trend as well. Saina wrote it when she was 22, one of the youngest one to publish an autobiography. That's why we'll miss the events took place after the book was published for exp achieving the number one ranking, then this recent knee surgery she had and when many experts were saying that her glory days are over she came back strongly by winning the Malaysia Masters 2017. Also the rise of PV Sindhu and her Silver medal in 2016 Olympics and the way badminton world (specially among the women) is changing in INDIA because you can not deny Saina's role in that. These would have been some more inspiring chapters, having said that I am not complaining. We never had anyone as successful and inspiring as Saina in women's badminton and she gave inspiration to a number of people and probably this book was a part of it. So we should applaud her efforts both on and off the field.

Now about the content of the book, needless to say I am a big fan of her and I really enjoyed the book. The book itself is a reflection of her persona - simple, elegant and Inspiring. Right from the overall appearance to the minutiae content of the book, nothing is flashy or animated. Amidst all the description from her early childhood till becoming the nation's most loved daughter there are a number of small things which proved how down-to-earth and a family oriented person she is. Similarly her message to aspirant players and their parent shows she is a true Indian by heart.

Overall I can say this might not be the best planned and professionally written autobiography but it will inspire many people and teach them the value of working hard and being simple even if you achieve all the success and popularity. And I think this was the main purpose of the book far more than any other thing. Well done Saina

[Priya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very simple, straightforward account of Saina's journey in the world of badminton in her own words(written in 2012 just after she won the Olympic medal).

She talks very candidly about her first foray into the game, her parents and coaches, struggles and triumphs. Giving us a glimpse into her everyday life, she reveals what it was like to play professionally at such a young age and recounts her best and worst memories.

Whether talking about the endorsements she does or the way she feels about the media and public reactions to her success and failure, she is really honest and down to earth. Dedicating her awards and accolades to her parents, she comes across as a person who feels very honoured to represent India and is aware of the responsibility that puts on her as well. Totally deserving of all the recognition that she has received.

I watch matches on television occasionally but do know the difference players like Saina have made in popularizing the game of badminton. It's heartening to see that she is giving back to the sport that has given her so much.

[Rajat TWIT · Rating 1 out of 5]

Before you start reading the review, let me clarify that I have not read many auto-biographies, and those read were either classics or work of real geniuses. So reading this book, termed as 'autobiography' gives me a shocker as a literary person. It might give some excitement to Sports buff or a celebrity follower, but then by the end of the book nothing is revealed that might be of any worth to know to any of them.
The language looks a disappointing translation from Hindi to English, and the forced editing at some places has made many points/expressions look out of point. Language is rather confusing, and many points are redundant making the book extremely slow and painful to read. Special mention goes to the repeated usage of 'either mummy or papa', 'neither papa nor mummy' instead of simply using Parents. A little creative use of altering words to 'my father/mother' or 'my parents' or any other available alternate word would have made the book a bit easy to read. (And for God's sake lady, we know that you love to eat ice cream after winning a tournament!) The whole book looks like a diary entry from a girl who is being forced to write about herself. The flow becomes very abrupt at places, and many times there is absolutely no connection with the sentences in the same paragraph. A supreme example is when the author talks about the secret insights about P Gopi Chand and in very next sentence she is talking about his personal behaviour having absolutely no connection with each other.
The only worthy to read information in the book, that is unavailable on net is that her mother used to call her Steffi after Steffi Graf and would dream of her becoming a strong player like Steffi (here I have ruined the whole book for you!) There are some special pages dedicated to as what are her personal favorites in different categories, which place she love to visit and her favorite players, which makes the whole affair look as if we are reading some sports magazine with a special issue on her! Taking a very layman approach in few of important technical details, she describes her injuries as 'severe shoulder pain' and 'foot started to swell' instead of taking proper medical terms to discuss her journey of sports life with those who are or wants to follow her in the future with keen interest. The book starts with the Common Wealth Games Final match in Delhi and ends with the Olympics match where she won because her opponent was injured, this book contains very few real insight of the Sports star and makes you to think that whether it was too early for the young lady to come out with an autobiography at this early stage of life (22 years old when she wrote it, which looks impossible as she herself admitted that there is no time for anything else apart from the game in her life)!
But in any case, she fought and achieved some of the rare fights that we see in India and still is actively working for sports in India. She deserves a special moon for her sports effort but just a single star for this autobiography!
PS: Read it only if you want to know about the SPECIAL or EXTRA SPECIAL tournaments of Saina Nehwal.

[Jigna Pasad malwankar · Rating 5 out of 5]

#BookReview

Book - Playing to win - Saina Nehwal Saina Nehwal
Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🏸Playing to Win" by Saina Nehwal is a fantastic book about her journey into the world of badminton and personal growth 🏸. She wrote this book after winning her Olympic medal in 2012. Saina's story is not just about winning on the court but overcoming challenges off it. The book is full of inspiring moments, sharing how dedication, hard work, and a positive mindset can turn dreams into reality. She provides valuable insights into her training routines, tactical decision-making during matches, and the mindset needed to compete at the highest level. This makes the book a valuable resource not just for badminton enthusiasts but for anyone seeking motivation. In this entire book, she emphasizes the hard work her father and mother put in financially and emotionally. Her journey and her hardships from her childhood to playing into nationals are well expressed. All the facts be it about her game, her training, her winning or the endorsements and money she receives are added without any hesitation.

The book is a short simple read but very beautifully written and 100% inspiring. I am sure there would have been more to add to her life journey and would have loved to read it more. 🏸
It's a must-read for sports fans and anyone looking for motivation to pursue their goals. Saina's writing is relatable, making her journey a source of inspiration for all.

#bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookoholicsbookclub #booklovers #bookclubpune #readingchallenge2024 #readersofinstagram #punebloggers #bookclubofinstagram #bookclub

[Vivek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hooter: A chatty wikipedia page on Saina by Saina

For someone as straight talking and straight forward as Saina having met her (* adds flex *) , I can see how this book resonates with her. Focusses more on the chronological journey she went through and her thoughts along those moments - both high and low. There isn't any "what you can learn from my life motivational stories or anecdotes" trying to break the fourth wall here. It makes her more human and likeable beyond the media press releases we glimpse her personality through.

This is nowhere a literary genius neither is it meant to be but tiny gems like her mom wanted to fashion her around Steffi Graf , her love for ice cream and winning mindset to get through all obstacles - mental and physical, this is a quick breezy read for aimed at Saina fans.

[Saloni Porwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saina has added facts about herself, which brings on a different vibe. Autobiographies are very inspiring, but in a way make you feel that the author is perfect and knows exactly how to handle every problem. This book, however, talks all Saina's quirks and likings, which makes her more human relatable. What I didn't enjoy ...more

[Mrunalini Vengurlekar · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute only

[Anuj Sharma · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short biography. I'd recommend it to those who want to know more about and doesn't have. It can be read in just 30 minutes.

[Ashim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fortunate enough to say that I read this for work.

[Vijay Behra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think she wrote it too early. Its very ordinary like a Wikipedia page. It has achievements of Saina and very little insight of her journey. Narrative is not interesting. I am fan of Saina Nehwal and salute her for the achievements and contribution towards Badminton in India but didn't like the book.

[Nilesh Khatri · Rating 4 out of 5]

An average book

[Uttara Sagdeo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exceptional hard work story of Saina... But i didn't like the way book has been written... It could be better than this...

[Sunset · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short book. could have been much more informative.

[Kavitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insight into the hard work put in by the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal !

[Anirudh Khandelwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring book.

[Amit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic but indeed a good read

[Jenisha Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is indeed a great book. I am a big fan of Saina Nehwal and I loved reading about her life and her struggles and how she reached the top.

[Manoj Arora · Rating 4 out of 5]

My learnings :
(1) As much as winning is sought after, losing is also an integral part of the game.
(2) The players age or rank does not count beyond a point.
(3) When you look back from a winning position, you tend to forget all the toil and slump.
(4) You need to believe that you can win irrespective of your opponent. For that, visualization is very useful.
(5) We Indians are making progress in every tournament. We are making it difficult for our opponents and that's the point media misses when they say that India lost.
(6) I couldn't keep explaining myself to everyone. I must focus on my game and the game would do the talking.
(7) If through my efforts, there are youngsters who can today consider badminton as a viable career, I am ecstatic! If they can dream of reaching the top, my success has been worthy.
(8) Parents should start enrolling their kids in sports early, preferably between the ages of five and eight, to recognize their children’s potential.
(9) I recommend that children study as much as possible. Sportspersons’ career spans are limited and they will need to be employable once their sports career is over.
(10) There is a certain responsibility that comes with success and I have learnt that one is never fully prepared for it.
(11) I am not the most talented player in the world or in the country, but I have made up for what I lack in talent with hard work, commitment, and focus. I think that this combination works no matter what you do in life.
(12) Finding something you love to do and giving it your all is a great life mantra to have.
(13) Having Dreams is a positive sign of progress and of creative minds.
(14) Education is as important as sports.

[Saicharan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insight into the life of one of the greatest badminton players that our country has ever produced. A must read for anyone who wishes to pursue sports as a career.

A memoir, written while still being active in the sport, can become a playbook for many who wants to follow the similar path, for the success formulae could be still relevant to the times. It is written in a simple language and feels very genuine. An easy read and one can breeze through the book without feeling aloof or patronized.

In a country where cricketers hogged all the fame among the sporting fraternity the rise of Saina in the game of Badminton as well as the fame she has garnished for herself is a perfect example of the emancipation of the women as well as the renewed interest of the people in sports other that cricket.

The book mentions an important issue of how sports persons suffer after their sporting career come to an end, which by-the-way is pretty early in their life, because they would have neglected the formal education to put in the required time and energy in the sport. It is because of this that the parents in India usually don't encourage their wards to pursue sports as a career, for it may not give them a secure future.

The one sentence, from the book, that really caught me was
"I am not the most talented player in the world...but I have made up ...with hard work, commitment, and total focus"

Certainly, this combination works.

[Madhura Gurav · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read memoir for all the aspiring badminton players, sportsperson and everyone else. Saina has managed to describe her journey succinctly. Reading about her dedication to the game and the country is quite inspiring. Also, there are some great photos that'll make all her fans happy, giving a pictorial sneak-peek into her life.

[Niveditha Ravindra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mixed feelings about this book. It seems like the publishers wanted to cash in around the hype created after Saina won her Olympics medal in 2012. Just look at what else she has achieved in the past 3 years... She has become world no. 1 for Pete's sake! Surely it would have made sense to wait for a few more years and include these details in the autobiography? I have tremendous respect for her as an athlete, but this book was below par. The only chapter that stood out was about her coaches, where she describes how she called one of them in the middle of the night when her mother took ill and he came all the way to the hospital. Those are the kind of stories we like to read in autobiographies!

The three stars are only because she is one of my favourite Indian sportswomen. I hope there will be a better written memoir coming out in the future.

[Namzz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Inspiring Saina...(feeling inspired!)
It felt really good and inspiring after reading two books (Playing to win and Saina Nehwal: An Inspirational Biography) written on the youth icon, Saina Nehwal. One can take a lot of inspiration from her....and yes, of course the inspiration is not only in terms of the game but also in terms of hard work, dedication and staying focused. After reading these books, one realizes that the name and fame comes only after great efforts and tremendous hard work. From these biographies and autobiographies, one can get lot of inspiration in terms of believing in our dreams, chasing our dreams with all the dedication and efforts possible and giving our 100% and also accepting the fact that ups and downs are a part and parcel on the path to success.

[Shivani Satpathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Iron Lady of India certainly speaks about discipline & focus in her autobiography.

“I am working hard and performances are coming. Now that I am number 2, I will definitely reach number 1.” With this attitude she inspires the sportsman in the readers.

[Mick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short book. could have been much more informative.

[Sourobh Das · Rating 2 out of 5]

An average autobiography... More like an extended article on the life of Saina Nehwal by Saina Nehwal herself.

[Namratha Patalay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring!!!

[Bharadwaja Penumaka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good.
Not a recommended one.
I mean the way she projected is not interesting and not a page turner.
And i accepting that she is a successful player and inspirational women.

[Praveen · Rating 4 out of 5]

an inspirational book..

[Harsh Tibarewala · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspirational read

[shubham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite Inspiring and very very heart touching

I think stories like this can inspire millions of Indians to perform well in the sports world .
Its a wonderful book to read.
Thanks