Interview with PV Sindhu: "Hope to become World No.1 in 3-4 years"

PV Sindhu

She became the first Indian women singles player to win a medal (bronze) in the 2013 World Championship in China – a feat she repeated in the 2014 edition in Denmark. The 20-year-old Hyderabad girl is now setting her sights on making it three out of three in the upcoming the 2015 World Championship to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia from August 11-16.

Sindhu, who was troubled by a stress fracture on her left foot, keeping her out of competitive action for about three months, is putting in the hard yards as she gears up to take part in the Chinese Taipei Grand Prix Gold, thus providing finishing touches to her preparations for the 2015 World Championship.

The World No. 14 spoke about her preparations, injury phase, love for biryani among others in an exclusive interview.

Excerpts:

Q. You were laid down with a prolonged injury (stress fracture on your left leg) and were out of action for close to three months.

Injuries are bound to happen. It’s part and parcel of a sportsperson’s life. I missed two big events – All England Championships and India Open. You just have to take good care of your body and hope for the best.

Q. Do you think there are any lessons to be learnt from such injuries?

Well, one has to be patient during such injury phases as one can do little about it other than do the rehab as best you can. You can’t control injuries; you just have to be prepared to take it in your stride.

Q. The 2015 World Championship is just one month away. How well are you prepared this time around?

First of all, I’m more focused on next week’s Chinese Taipei Grand Prix Gold event, where I’m keen to fare well. A solid performance will really put me in a right frame of mind for the 2015 World Badminton Championship.

Q. You became the first Indian women’s singles player to win a medal in the 2013 World Badminton Championship and bagged another bronze in the 2014 edition. Are you hoping to make it 3 out 3?

I want to do well and make a podium finish. I’m working hard and keeping my fingers for the big-ticket event.

Q. Talking about your game, what are the areas you want to focus on?

I want to work on my defence and that’s not the only area I’m looking to improve as all aspects of my game need attention. It’s all about practicing hard, day in day out and it is only hard practice that can get you anywhere close to perfection.

Q. The Indian Badminton League (IBL) was a great hit in 2013, but has not been held since that. Do you think it’s a setback for Indian badminton?

The IBL attracted huge popularity as top international players slugged it out alongside the country’s top shuttlers. I don’t know whether it will be held this year as we have a packed international schedule.

Q. You are currently ranked 14^th in the world. What will be a realistic goal to reach world number one?

Look, breaking into the top-10 is never easy, but staying there is very tough. You have to be really consistent to sustain yourself in the top-10. As for me, I will like to give myself three-four years and within that period I hope to become world number one.

Q. We all know your passion for badminton, but we also know about your penchant for biryani. Your thoughts.

Biryani is something I’m really fond of, but I can’t afford to have them all the time. I do satiate my biryani appetite in whatever way I can without disturbing my diet.