“This is a big tournament for us. I know she (Tai Tzu Ying) has been going through a lot of physiotherapy for her injury to get better. I’m lucky my injury was earlier and I had time to recover. I’m happy we got to play one last Olympics together.” – Ratchanok Intanon

“Coming into the Olympics, I knew I wasn’t in the best condition but I tried my best. I don’t know what to think. I knew there wasn’t a high chance to win. Our playing styles are similar. It’s like playing in a mirror.” – Tai

“I was trying to do my best and shake him. Winning the first game was really important. In the decider it was momentum that was key to winning. The crowd pushed me a lot. I didn’t give up in the second game so easily. I fought for it.” – Toma Junior Popov

“I’m disappointed and upset with my result but happy with my performance. I gave it my very best but it wasn’t enough. Toma played so well and it wasn’t easy to take a point from him.” – Anthony Sinisuka Ginting

“Sometimes, you get a slow start, and the most important thing is how to react, and I did well mentally. Nhat (Nguyen) played well too, so credit to him as well, but I’m happy about how I responded to him.” – Viktor Axelsen

“I started well but after a few points I was impatient and then Sen was level. In the second game, he was more confident and had more energy. I tried to be braver, to press harder but several times my shots went wide. The feeling is still mixed. I can’t express it.” – Jonatan Christie

“I’m taking it one match at a time. I want a medal, and I feel happy when people see that, saying they want a hattrick (third medal) from me. At the same time, it comes with a lot of responsibility and pressure. You can’t expect easy wins. You have to fight hard for it. You have to earn it.” – Pusarla V. Sindhu

“It was one of the most important matches of my career because it’s all about the quarterfinals and I was really nervous. Winning gives us so much confidence as it was very tough, it felt like a final.” – Wang Chi-Lin

“Tai is an amazing player and opponent. I admire her so much. I’m grateful I got to play in the same era and before she retires. I’d love her to continue playing.” – Gregoria Mariska Tunjung

“Two matches in, I’m still trying to adjust to the conditions. I think some of the other players are having difficulties too and that may cause some upsets. I think I’m handling the nerves well.” – Lee Zii Jia

“There are times when you can’t sleep because you just can’t stop thinking about things, but other times, you have to disconnect so your body can rest. Not just at night, I also do a lot of visualisation.” – Carolina Marin

“I’m really enjoying playing at the Olympics. It’s nice that people say I’m happy playing badminton. It’s true, I am. I smile all the time.” – Li Shi Feng

“It’s an honour to play against the best players in the world like Loh Kean Yew. My mother and brother have been asking me what time I’m playing because of the time difference with El Salvador. When my mum watches my matches she’s really nervous. More nervous than me (laughs).” – Uriel Francisco Canjura Artiga