PBL 2018: "No regrets, I gave my everything," says PV Sindhu on World C'ships and Dubai SSF losses

PV Sindhu has nothing to regret looking back to a successful 2017, where she had both hits and misses, with the Dubai Superseries Finals silver the latest in her glittering cabinet. She also had won the India Open, Korea Open, Syed Modi GP Gold, while finishing second best at the Worlds, Superseries Finals, Hong Kong Open and the Senior Nationals, indicating that she still lacks the mental strength to cross the last hurdle.

"It was an overall good season. I have nothing to regret as I gave my everything. Though there were moments when I was feeling low or disappointed but I want to take the positives from all these misses. It was a great learning experience," said Sindhu on the sidelines of Premier Badminton League Season pre-match interaction at the Siri Fort Stadium on Tuesday as Sindhu's Chennai Smashers face off against the Mumbai Rockets in the capital on Wednesday.

"The World Championship defeat was really hard to take as it was a very close match and when I lost the Dubai Superseries Finals in a similar manner, memories of the Glasgow loss were revived. I really felt bad but one has to come out of it and look forward. I also have learnt from my mistakes and would definitely improve on my final results," she said.

Sindhu has lost the finals of the World Championship and Dubai World Superseries Finals after playing some of the longest matches in her career. In fact, the 115-minutes Worlds final against Nozomi Okuhara is the longest in the event's history. In Dubai too, she was engaged in long energy-sapping rallies against the eventual champion Akane Yamaguchi.

Asked where does she needs to improve, the 23-year-old said it wasn't just her day. "I made a few mistakes which I shouldn't have. Otherwise in both the finals, I gave my 100 percent."

The Indian admitted that the level of women's singles competition has gone a notch higher and thus fitness would be very crucial for the shuttlers come next season. "Earlier it was the Chinese Wangs, now the Japanese and Chinese Taipei girls have come out really good and to match them, we need to be supremely fit both mentally and physically."

She also said the 2018 calendar will make the situation tricky as they, including herself, will have to pick and choose tournaments.

"I will be looking at one tournament at a time. There are some big events next year and it will be important to stay fit to play well in these tournaments," the World No. 3 conceded.