“I will always be your biggest supporter” - PV Sindhu’s message for devastated Carolina Marin who withdrew from Paris 2024 semi-final with injury

Two-time Olympic medalist shuttler PV Sindhu wrote a heartfelt message for Rio Olympics gold medalist Carolina Marin, who had to withdraw from her women's singles semi-final in the Paris Olympics 2024 after she injured her knee in the second game.

Carolina was facing China's He Bingjiao in the crucial semi-final clash and won the first game quite convincingly. However, she left the court in tears after an injury. Notably, Marin suffered ACL injuries on both her knees in the past.

“To one of my greatest rivals and dearest friends on the tour, @carolinamarin, I am sending all the positive energy in the world your way. You were playing a phenomenal match, and I was deeply rooting for you,” PV Sindhu wrote.

She added:

“Deep down, I believe there was no player on tour I hated playing against more than you. Your willpower, sheer determination, and uncanny ability to put players under pressure are unmatched.

“Knowing you and your willpower, it’s only a matter of time, buddy! Just know I will always be your biggest supporter."

With a 21-14 win in the first set and 10-6 up in the second, Carolina Marin looked all set to clinch the match and make a grand entry to the final. However, she collapsed to the floor after landing awkwardly on her right knee, injuring it.

Though she tried to continue with a knee brace and bagged two more points, she struggled with difficulty and bowed out of the court in anguish and extreme distress.

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PV Sindhu and Carolina Marin - Rivals on the court, friends off it

It's worth noting that Carolina defeated PV Sindhu to clinch the gold medal in the women’s singles final at the Rio Olympics 2016.

Both these badminton greats have met against each other on 18 occasions with Marin winning 12 matches while Sindhu bagged only six of them.

Their rivalry began at the junior level when they faced each other at the BWF World Junior Championships in 2010. Sindhu came out on top in that match, winning straight games by 21-17, 21-19.

Though Carolina Marin and PV Sindhu are fierce competitors on the court, they are close friends off it.