A 14-year-old PV Sindhu, while playing her first India Open in 2009 would have never imagined, what she’d go on to achieve in the next 15 years. Today, she is India’s one of the most successful Olympians, having won two medals there, multiple World Championships medals, most tournaments on the BWF roster, and multiple other accolades. As of today, in the 631 matches she has played, she has 440, and lost only 191.
Not at Her Best, But Still Best in India
Out of those 191 losses, 2023 and 2024 have been her worst years, and 36-37 defeats have come in these two years. Plus, she has struggled with injuries too, ever since the CWG as well. And, as a result, her ranking has slipped to World No. 20 for the first time since 2012. This could be significant in many ways; some might look at this as the start of the end of the PV Sindhu-era, or probably even a turnaround phase that the Hyderabadi is very capable of achieving. But then, whatever the case it may be, it has truly been a journey of a true champion for her, and it is only fair, that we revisit her initial years.
PV Sindhu’s BWF Ranking Journey (2009-2012)
Sindhu was ranked 255 back in 2009 when she played her first senior tournament at India Open. There she was ousted in the second qualifiers only, while she was given a walkover in the first one. Come 2010, she managed to finish the year at World No. 151, courtesy of runners-up finish at Fajr International Challenge.
But the biggest turnaround was waiting for now 16, Sindhu, who won big in 2011 and ended the year at 31st rank. In that time, she had already laid her hands on trophies at Maldives International, Indonesia International, Swiss International, and Tata Open International. This was also the year, where she went a step ahead and made her presence felt at an BWF Grand Prix tournament — the Dutch Open, and finished with the silver medal there, losing to Yao Jie. This was also the year, where gold at CWG Youth came.
The 2013 Turnaround — Win over Xuerui & WC Medal
2012 was another landmark year for Sindhu. After beating all the players outside top-20 and top-30, it was time now for the big fishes. Her first victim was 2012 Olympic gold medalist Li Xuerui at the China Open, and by now, her potential was only clear. She finished second at the India Grand Prix Gold, and her year finished as World No. 19.
From there on, there was no looking back as she had established herself as one of the best in the world, winning five World Championships medals in the next seven years. PV Sindhu also went on to attain her career best ranking of 2 in 2017, and in 2021, she won her second Olympic medal. In 2019, she also became the first ever Indian to win a World Championships gold. All that, by the age of 26, in a span of 12 years, was truly remarkable.
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