PV Sindhu ropes in South Korean badminton legend Lee Hyun Il as a consulting coach

India’s top badminton star PV Sindhu has been out of competitive action since the Paris Olympics, but she is gearing up for a highly anticipated return to the international circuit this October. The 29-year-old shuttler has been making some changes to her coaching staff, starting with the addition of former national player Anup Sridhar as an interim coach.

Sindhu has now also brought on South Korean badminton legend Lee Hyun Il as a consulting coach, alongside Sridhar, ahead of her return at the Finland Open and Denmark Open next month.

Sindhu's latest coaching additions represent a fresh chapter in her already illustrious career. Anup Sridhar, who joined as an interim coach, has now been joined by Lee Hyun Il, creating a dynamic partnership to guide Sindhu in the next phase of her journey.

Lee Hyun Il, who is widely regarded as one of the most successful players in badminton history, brings an unparalleled wealth of experience. The 44-year-old has won four consecutive Asian Games medals, spanning over 12 years, and narrowly missed out on an Olympic medal twice, finishing fourth at the Beijing and London Games. A former World No. 1, Lee’s longevity at the top of the sport is remarkable.

He is no stranger to Indian badminton either; he played alongside Sindhu in the Premier Badminton League (PBL) and has spent his fair share of time in the country.

As the South Korean takes on a coaching role in Sindhu’s squad, his partnership with Sridhar creates a blend of tactical precision and deep knowledge of the sport. Both coaches will be instrumental in Sindhu’s preparation for the upcoming European circuit as she begins her post-Olympic campaign.

Speaking about the new coaching team, Sindhu expressed her excitement in a press release:

"I’m thrilled to have Anup and Lee Hyun Il joining my team in this crucial period. Anup’s understanding of Indian badminton and his strategic approach have always impressed me, and I look forward to working closely with him. Having Lee with his meticulous preparation and legendary experience is an honor. I’ve always respected his attention to detail, and I can’t wait to learn from him during these next few months."

Lee Hyun Il shared Sindhu’s enthusiasm by saying:

"Working with PV Sindhu was an easy decision. Our previous partnership in the PBL highlighted her fierce determination and exceptional talent, and I am excited to contribute to her growth and success in the upcoming tournaments."

"I truly appreciate Coach Agus for all the effort he invested in preparing me for the Olympics" - PV Sindhu on her time with Coach Agus Dwi Santoso

The formation of Sindhu’s new coaching team follows the conclusion of her partnership with Coach Agus Dwi Santoso, who was instrumental in helping her make a comeback after an injury and prepare for the Paris Olympics. Though Sindhu did not achieve the desired success at the Games, she acknowledged the critical role Santoso played in getting her back on the court and ready for competition.

Reflecting on her time with him, Sindhu shared:

"I truly appreciate Coach Agus for all the effort he invested in preparing me for the Olympics. His hard work and commitment were instrumental in getting me back from injury and ready for competition. He became more than just a coach; he became a friend and a guide. I will miss those early morning training sessions with him and will always look up to him. I will also greatly miss that typical Indonesian energy that made three-hour training sessions more fun, as well as our chats after matches and long chants on flights."

"Any athlete who works with him will be lucky to have such a dedicated coach. In his own words before every serve, and a lesson I will always carry in life: 'Always ready. No. 2 return serve, Sindhu!!!' 'Ready, coach! Always ready!!'" she added.

The decision to build a new coaching team comes after Santoso’s departure following the expiration of his contract with the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The current arrangement with Sridhar and Lee is in place until December 2024, after which Sindhu will explore long-term options.