PV Sindhu is beaming with a big smile and positive expression as he attends the Indian Open pre-tournament press conference. Star Shuttle accepts tough questions. She stops to take her selfie request and her smile never goes away for a second. Behind that bright face is her constant five-month battle with an injury that caused her coach, Park Tae-sang, to temporarily lose control of her emotions.
The past few months have been tough for two-time Olympic medalists India. The star Indian shuttle player faced a stress fracture in his left leg that kept him out of action for five months. Her injury occurred during the Commonwealth Games in August when she won the gold medal. A lengthy layoff forced Sindhu to miss the BWF World Championships and World Tour Finals as he continued to recover. However, she was eliminated in a battle with former world No. 1 Carolina Marin.
But when Sindhu stepped into a packed hall for the Indian Open’s pre-tournament press conference, she exuded confidence and blazed with positivity.
Sindhu and Marin share a rich history of rivalry. Their match in the final of the 2016 Rio Olympics is her one of the most iconic matches in women’s singles of the past decade. Marin crushed Sindhu’s Olympic gold medal dreams at the time, beating Indian shuttler again in Malaysia as Sindhu lost in three games. But Sindhu’s feelings after both defeats remain quite the opposite.
Coming off a lengthy injury layoff, Sindhu said he was “satisfied” with his performance and claimed it wasn’t easy facing Marin after being out of action for quite some time.
“In Malaysia, after my injury, I played with her and I was happy to give my best. Coming back from injury is not easy.When I come back, just the confidence to get down there and do my best…it takes a lot of time.I (give) 100 percent of myself. Winning and losing is part of life.Apart from that, I think every tournament is important and right now it’s the Indian Open,” Sindhu told the Hindustan Times. .
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Sindhu is happy with her performance and fitness, but her coach Park Tae-sang said she couldn’t get a hold of him after the Indian shuttler’s loss to Marin last week. In an Instagram post, he wrote: and disappointing results. Folks, her lack is my fault as a coach. Getting ready for the Indian Open next week in Delhi. Encourage @pvsindhu1 instead of scolding him. I will do my best more. “
When the publication asked Sindhu about her coach’s emotional post after the loss, Sindhu said Park was very concerned about her lack of badminton action.
“Coming back after an injury is a really difficult thing in itself. It’s not that easy. We haven’t played in the last five months, so my coach put up with his feelings. One game at a time. I think we have to do it, we have to be happy with what we actually tried to play after the injury.By God’s grace, I hope everything goes well and we have good days, ”said Sindhu. told the Stan Times.
“Olympic qualifiers are about to start, so we need to prepare and plan accordingly.
Fans who hold the key to Sindhu
The previous India Open was played behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In his first year, things started to return to normal, with the Badminton Association of India (BAI) announcing ahead of the tournament that fans will have free admission to the KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium. In addition, the India Open has been upgraded from the 500 series to the 750 series, bringing together star players in both the men’s, women’s singles and doubles.
“As we all know, the Indian Open will be 750 for the first time. I have many memories here and it was 500 at the time. Playing on home ground is always exciting and , that gives me confidence, everyone is rooting for us.Last year we couldn’t see the crowd because of the pandemic, but I’m sure this time it will be more exciting. ‘ said Sindhu at a pre-tournament press conference on Monday.
Sindhu also spoke to colleague Carolina Marin, who was also a member of the press. Recalling his match with the Spanish star, Sindhu added that he expects huge crowd support during his six days at the Indian Open.
“All the Indian players are looking forward to it. There are many games that have been won and lost here. Carolina has also played here and has played really well in the last few tournaments. Crowd are always very supportive too.Their cheering is totally different and makes me feel special,” said Sindhu.
