Retaining the numero uno spot not a challenge anymore for Saina Nehwal

Saina Nehwal hasn't had the greatest of times since the World Championships

World No.2 Saina Nehwal has said that reaching the top of the world rankings isn't an easy job and added that reaching the pinnacle wasn't a big challenge for her anymore. The shuttler has scaled the top of the world rankings on three separate occasions in the year 2015, so far.

"It's not easy to reach the No. 1 rank, let alone maintain it. You have to keep winning all the big events to have a chance. When I had not reached there, I feared if I would be able to do it or not. I am glad to have achieved it and for me getting back to the No. 1 spot is not a big challenge anymore as I have done it before," the World Championships runners-up said, in an interview to the Times of India.

Ever since she finished runners-up at the World Championships in Jakarta, it hasn't been smooth sailing for Saina Nehwal. the shuttler has failed to reach the semifinals of the tournaments that have succeeded that event and one of the reasons for that has been that she has been suffering from a pelvic inflammation.

However, the 25-year-old said that she is feeling much better now and is looking to attain prime fitness.

"It's getting better and hopefully it will reduce further. There is less pain in the pelvic area now. I was suffering from pain in the abdomen for almost one-and-half months but that is over. It was painful reaching the net due to all this and it reflected in my results. Taking rest has helped me a lot and I am trying to get my fitness up," she said.

Have a healthy rivalry with Marin: Saina

Saina commented on her relationship with former champion Carolina Marin, calling the Spaniard a “tough opponent” and spoke about her rivalry with her.

"She is a tough opponent and understands my game well. We share a healthy rivalry. I have got a 3-2 record against her this year. So, I don't need to worry much about her. It's just that I need to be in good shape and the rest will follow,” the shuttler said.

She also said that she was not bothered by the current rankings and attributed this nonchalance to her form and felt it was too early to think about preparations for Rio 2016.

"I don't need to think about the draw (at Rio). And that is what I intend to do in the last three events of the year. We will start preparations for Rio only July next year, which is still far away,” she concluded.