HYDERABAD: Brushing aside the disappointment of losing three Major finals this year, Rio Olympics silver medallist P.V. Sindhu says she is determined to change the colour of her medal — from silver in the last edition — to gold in the badminton World Championships to be held later this month in China.
“The draw is really tough and you have to be patient. Fortunately, the preparations have been good and I hope to get the momentum going from start to finish,” said the 23-year-old in an exclusive chat with The Hindu after another demanding training schedule at the Gopi Chand Academy here.
“As the event progresses it is only going to get tougher. Like always, it all boils down to how well you respond to the challenge on a given day,” said the World No. 3.
“I am really pleased with the way I have been playing, though I may not be winning as many titles as one expects. Sometimes, it depends on the shuttle and the wind conditions at the venue too.”
Sindhu says she doesn’t want to carry the tag of last edition’s silver medallist when she enters the tournament.
“That is past. You have to live in the present and being in the circuit and having beaten some of the best, I am confident of defeating most of them as I believe all the preparations will come good once again.”
She is not too concerned at many of her big matches going into the third set, where she could struggle a bit.
“I don’t think it is the case. A lot of factors come into play in such situations. Sometimes, you need an element of luck too. I do believe I am playing really well.”
On the competition in women’s singles, Sindhu felt the Chinese were not as dominant as before and that there are some very good youngsters who could rattle the best.
“Japan’s Minatsu Mitani and Nozomi Okuhara (who beat Sindhu both in the last World’s final and Thailand Open final recently) are doing really well. Then there is Korea’s Sung Ji Yun and World No. 1 Tai Tzu Ying of Taipei, who always is a major threat. It is a good sign for world badminton.”
Reflecting on the chances of meeting compatriot Saina Nehwal in the Worlds final, a smiling Sindhu felt it cannot be ruled out.
“If that happens, it will be a great day for Indian badminton. She has been playing well and it will be a challenge. I am ready for such a clash if it happens.”