I feel stronger, better and lighter on court: Saina Nehwal Posted: Jan 20, 2017 • 03:32 PM by Akshay Somani

New Delhi, Jan 20 ( ) London Olympics bronze medallist shuttler Saina Nehwal on Friday said she now feels "stronger, better and lighter" on the court post her successful return from a knee surgery after the 2016 .

Saina was one of India's top contenders for a podium finish at the Rio Games until a knee problem derailed her Olympic hopes and she was forced to go under the knife last August.

Post rehabilitation, the 26-year-old attributed her quick return to the court to her coach and physiotherapist.

"I have never had to undergo surgery in my career before. This was the first time that the doctor told me that I have to undergo a knee surgery. I was thinking if I was able to come back after that surgery, how much time it's going to take me, so there were a lot of doubts in my mind," Saina was quoted as saying by Badminton World Federation's (BWF) website.

"It happened during the Olympics, I was so scared. Will I be able to play again or not? That moment was very sad. I was mentally not prepared for it at all. I was crying in front of my parents and my coaches. It was going to be tough for me to come out of the surgery."

"Then I met my physiotherapist who said he will get me back in two to three months. He told me to believe in myself and stay positive," she added.

Playing for Awadhe Warriors, Saina, who lost to Rio Olympics silver medallist P.V. Sindhu in the Premier Badminton League (PBL) semi-finals, said she had to focus on regaining her strength during her rehabilitation stage.

"The one thing I had to work on was to get my strength back, which you lose after a surgery. He (physiotherapist) worked on my weaker areas; when I train now, it feels easier for me because all the areas were covered up very well. Over 82,400 ticket requests for 2017 Confederations Cup: FIFA"