Rio de Janeiro: The two-week stay in Rio de Janeiro has brought about a complete change in the life of shuttler PV Sindhu, but the Olympic silver medallist was eager to fly out of the Brazilian city late on Saturday night.

“It’s a brilliant place… People here are awesome. But it doesn’t offer the kind of biryani you can get in Hyderabad. I am now eager to reach my hometown and grab a plate of biryani,” Sindhu said with a laugh.

“In fact, I won’t mind feasting on some junk food too,” added Sindhu as an afterthought.

The 21-year-old can’t be blamed if she is craving for her favourite food items, ones that are not ideally suited for a sportspersons. 

For more than two months, she spent a regimented life and did not even step out of her room once the practice sessions were over. Her mobile phone was confiscated by her coach, Pullela Gopichand, and was only returned after the women’s singles final against Carolina Marin of Spain got over.

“I got back my mobile once I reached the Games Village after the match… It was with Gopi Sir,” said Sindhu. “I wanted to talk to my parents and friends but the battery was low. I used it only after it was fully charged,” she added.

But then, the world No. 10 would not have made this far without following the strict regime imposed by the coach. In early June, when Sindhu was stunned by the then world No. 40, South Korea’s Kim Hyo Min, in just 55 minutes, the expectations from the Hyderabad girl were not great.

That was the time when Gopichand felt things had to change. He had a heart to heart talk with Sindhu and chalked out a plan for the next two months till the Olympics.

To her credit, Sindhu never uttered a word and followed the instructions hundred per cent. Her training session each day began at 4.30 am, with Sindhu reaching the spot by 4.15 am. It was supposed to end at 6.30 am but the girl extended it at least by half an hour on most of the days.

“I did not go out of my room; I did not talk to my friends. I had no social life for two months. All I wanted was to do well in the Olympics. 

“I had won top tournaments across the world, but I knew the Olympics would be different,” said Sindhu.

“I simply can’t forget what Gopi Sir has done for me. What I am today is because of him… 

He has been coaching me for the last 12 years… At the same time, I would like to thank all the other coaches and the support staff who worked tirelessly for me,” she said.

Sindhu, however, has no regrets about losing against Marin in the final. “Overall, it was a great match… Both of us played aggressively and she won the match in the end.

“True, I could have done better in the second game. My service was not up to the mark. I did not get too many points initially and she ran into a huge lead. I tried my best to cover the lead, but it was too late. The third game was a close contest and she won,” Sindhu said.

After returning home, Sindhu plans to relax for a few days before returning to the court with the same grit and determination that took her to the Olympics final. “Now, I would like to go out and watch a few movies and listen to music. I am a big fan of Ranbir Kapoor. 

“I would like to watch his movies. I love to listen to music, but I don’t go for motivational songs,” said the lanky girl. “I can understand that my life has changed… 

“It will not remain the same. The Olympic silver medal in singles is a huge achievement in life and it has got its own responsibilities too… I will have to live up to the reputation.  

“I have always craved for excellence… I will continue to pursue the same goal. But as a human being I will remain the same… You can take my words as a guarantee,” promised  Sindhu .