P.V. Sindhu’s intensity, when engaged in a one-on-three training drill under the watchful eyes of Indonesian coach Mulyo Handoyo, is a sight to behold.
It’s a sign that the gifted 22-year-old gifted is in the mood to create another magical moment on the world stage. The only Indian female athlete to win Olympic silver, Sindhu has her eyes on the World Championships in Glasgow, starting on August 21.
Taking a break from her demanding practice schedule at the Gopi Chand Academy here in Hyderabad, Sindhu spoke exclusively to The Hindu.
You’ve won two bronze medals at the World Championship. How do you see this edition?
The best part this edition [is] almost all the contenders [have] got [time] to prepare. This, in a way, means [it’s] the same [for] all of us. So, naturally everyone will be fully prepared, coming up with all their strategies, knowing fully what the demands will be at the Worlds. Honestly, I don’t see any big difference among the top-20 players. As I always believe, it comes down to how well you play on the given day. Reputations don’t matter. Staying focused is the biggest challenge.
What do you think about your draw? After a first-round bye, you could play No. 41 Kim Hyo-min. Fifth-seeded Sun Yu is your biggest challenge before the semifinal…
Well, it is all about getting the momentum. [There is] no way you can relax, and there are no weak and strong opponents at this level. So, my objective will be to keep raising the bar in each round … not thinking too much about the draw and getting distracted. Ultimately, you have to keep winning.
What has training under coach Mulyo been like?
The fact that each one of us is clearly enjoying the training sessions despite them being unusually long is a tribute to his efficacy and the invaluable inputs of Gopi [Chand] Sir too. You can all see the changes already, given the way we are performing so well in singles [both men and women]. And the results will be much better and bigger in the days to come.
What is the biggest change you see in yourself after that Rio silver?
I am more confident and there is a lot more recognition, both in the world of badminton and outside the playing arena. More confident, [but] not complacent. I feel more mature and capable of handling bigger challenges with ease.
And in terms of your game…
I am not in a hurry anymore to play all my strokes. Controlling the pace of the game at crucial junctures is one area I am really working a lot on. All this [helps] to be more consistent and successful.
What adjustments have you made since Rio?
[I’ve made] some adjustments, but again not too much, for I love to play my natural game, which helps me to be more consistent.
It is almost a year since you won that memorable silver. How do you feel when you think back to it?
You won’t believe me, but from the start of this month, my mind has been constantly harking back to that memorable day. It is a very special day in my life. Yes, things [have been] happening so fast in the last year. But honestly, I have been counting each day of this month. Waiting for that big day [August 19] to look back again with a sense of pride. And, hopefully have another great moment, again in August, in this World Championships (big smile).