PV Sindhu: Want to win gold at CWG 2022; ultimate goal is Paris Olympics

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu hopes the Commonwealth Games 2022 will serve as a perfect launchpad for her quest to regain the world championship crown next month.

Sindhu, who won a silver and a bronze in the last two editions, is chasing an elusive gold medal at the ongoing Games and thereafter her immediate target will be the Tokyo World Championships from August 22-28.

“The ultimate goal is the Paris Olympics in 2024. But the focus right now is winning a CWG medal and then the World Championships,” Sindhu told PTI during an interaction in Birmingham.

Also read: Commonwealth Games 2022: India’s schedule for Day 2, July 30

“Winning at the Commonwealth Games is a big achievement, it happens every four years. And representing our country at the biggest certainly gives a lot of pride. Hoping for the gold this time.”

The Ying hurdle

Sindhu, who has claimed the Singapore Open recently, has not been able to get past the Tai Tzu Ying hurdle in recent events.

The last time she won against the World number 2 from Chinese Taipei was way back in the 2019 World Championships during her dream title-winning run.

Also read: 15 interesting facts about India at CWG

Since then the ace Indian has endured a string of seven losses, including a quarter-final defeat at last year’s World Championships, to take her career head-to-head to 7-17.

She has also struggled against some left-handed players like Spains Carolina Marin or Koreas An Se Young.

Also read: CWG 2022: Dutee, Malala stand out as powerful messages from Birmingham

“It’s nothing like I’m not able to crack them. It’s very important that each match matters. It just depends on that particular day,” Sindhu disagreed when asked if she had any technical flaws.

“Each player has a different style of play, different stroke play. You must strategise accordingly because as I mentioned it just depends on that particular day.

“There were a lot of matches where seeded players lose in the first round, so it also depends on the court conditions.”

Not thinking of past

Sindhu, who trains under Koreas Park Tae Sang, has been a standout star for India in the last decade and she said focussing on learning has been the key to her success.

Also read: PV Sindhu wins Singapore Open title for her third trophy in 2022

“Even for me, I need a lot of practice. I also need to focus on my strokes every single day. I can’t think that I have won a medal and done well.

“That doesn’t matter, it’s past. There is more to learn. Every day there is a learning process for everyone.”

It was a great honour to be bestowed with the responsibility to lead the contingent and hold the flag at such an august gathering. Vande Mataram 🇮🇳 #TeamIndia #B2022 pic.twitter.com/D5ittdYAyj

— Pvsindhu (@Pvsindhu1) July 29, 2022

The 27-year-old from Hyderabad has won as many as five world championships medals, a silver and bronze medals at Asian Games, two bronze medals at Asian Championships to go with her silver and bronze at Rio and Tokyo Olympics. She also won the BWF World Tour Finals in 2018.

Being injury-free

Sindhu said focusing on fitness has been the mantra for her injury-free run in international badminton.

Also read: This bronze tougher than silver at Rio, says PV Sindhu after historic win

“It is very important to stay physically fit I would say, as an athlete that’s what we train for and we need to be injury-free,” she said.

“It’s very important to take care of our body, not just on the court but off the court as well. Training-wise, its important to stay fit because they are back-to-back tournaments.

“It’s important that you make sure your body is 100 per cent. If you are not up to the mark you won’t be able to play a tournament and a match. Any athlete would want to be injury free.”