Even though PV Sindhu might not be a favorite to win a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, but given her strong credentials, just about no one can rule her out yet. The 28-year-old has undergone the tough last 18 months, where she endured injuries, and even a slump in form, but now, she’s all set to make it count at the upcoming Badminton Asia Team Championships.
In an interaction with PTI, Sindhu opened up about her chances and the strategies to come good in the tournament. “I have not played tournaments in the last three months, so I will come to know where I am after I start playing tournaments. It has been pretty good so far.
“We have been talking and discussing against all the top 10-15 players in the women’s circuit. I think right now Aya Ohori, An Se Young, (Akane) Yamaguchi, and Carolina (Marin) are doing well. So it is not just one or two players, we need to know how every player is playing and we have been discussing them but it is important to focus on our own skills and technical aspects and also physical aspect,” added the current world-ranked 11.
PV Sindhu & Injuries
It is not like Sindhu doesn’t know how to make a comeback. In fact, prior to the Rio Olympics in 2016, the Indian had undergone a stress fracture in 2015. But she still managed to win a silver medal in Rio. “In 2015, I had a stress fracture injury. I had pain and I played with pain for six months.
“I had just 6-7 months to come back and qualify for Rio Olympics. There were many doubts if I could do it or not. I trusted myself and went with the flow and got a silver in 2016.
“After 4 years, there was Tokyo, but due to Covid, it was postponed. There were expectations and I couldn’t go to the finals. I was upset and sad and my coach told me that there is a lot of difference between a bronze and fourth position and that completely changed my mind.
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“I had mixed reactions after the semifinal loss. I had tears in my eyes and I didn’t know should I be happy or sad that I missed out of a final. The next day I was at the podium, winning the bronze, so it was harder. In 2016, the medal was confirmed after I reached finals but in Tokyo, I didn’t know if I would win one. It was a hard-earned medal.”
