BENGALURU: Ever since PV Sindhu started steadily rising in international badminton, it was pretty clear that she was destined for bigger deeds. She stamped class and confirmed her status as one of the top players in the world after bagging silver at the Rio Olympics.
The medal Sindhu won was most welcome too. And it was clear with the way she had to battle against then World No 1 Carolina Marin about what it takes to win at the top level. After that, the Hyderabad-based player won the China Open and was runner-up in the Hong Kong Open Superseries event.
Naturally, Sindhu’s life has changed for the better and she has become the poster girl of Indian badminton. “It is a different feeling and I am happy about it. It gave me a lot of confidence. I have been moving forward with that confidence,” Sindhu, the World No 6, said.
“After the Olympics, I won my first Superseries title and I got a runner-up place also.
Last year was fantastic for me. Everybody is looking up to me and I have more responsibilities. However, there is a lot more work to be done and I will keep working hard,” she added.
Without doubt, Sindhu’s rise at the international level is good news for Indian badminton. It proves there is more to international badminton than the traditional powerhouses.
Other players are probably a bit intimidated facing Sindhu these days. “I can’t really say, but you will have to ask those who are facing me,” she says with a chuckle.
“But it depends on who plays well on the day. I have improved, but there is a lot more to be done. The responsibilities are always higher to keep up that tempo and I have to be alert from the first point,” she added.
Sindhu believes that reaching the top is just one step. The important thing is to stay there. “From the Olympics, I have been more aggressive. It suits my game and I am moving forward with that motivation.
“Anybody who wishes to be at the top has to work hard. You have to keep working hard because you have to improve with every tournament. You have to work on different strokes and play them because you will take on different players and you will have to know their strategies.”
This seems to be just the beginning. An Olympics medal is surely enough motivation and Sindhu seems to be more than motivated to improve upon it.
vivekphadnis@newindianexpress.com