Sindhu: I played my best badminton in recent times

After being crowned women’s singles champion in Basel, Switzerland, Sindhu said she was fully prepared for the final on Sunday and was in a much better frame of mind.

India’s golden girl of the moment, P. V. Sindhu, says she played her best badminton in recent times and, more importantly, played consistently right through the World Championships.

India’s golden girl of the moment, P. V. Sindhu, says she played her best badminton in recent times and, more importantly, played consistently right through the World Championships.

In an exclusive chat with  Sportstar after being crowned women’s singles champion in Basel, Switzerland, Sindhu said she was fully prepared for the final on Sunday and was in a much better frame of mind.

“Honestly, I was expecting a long battle given (Nozomi) Okuhara’s reputation. But I am glad that I could peak at the right time and never really let the lead slip away,” Sindhu said.

“Definitely, Korean coach Kim Ji Hyun’s inputs and Gopi (P. Gopi Chand) Sir’s guidance were major plus points in my campaign,” she said. “I must say Kim has her own effective style of getting the best out of me,” she added.

Sindhu lifts world championship title: As it happened

“Well, I didn’t expect it to be such a one-sided final, but I must say I played as well I could in the most important match of the championship,” Sindhu said. “I was really dominating from the start,” she added.

Badminton Association of India (BAI) on Sunday announced a cash reward of ₹20 lakh and ₹5 lakh for P.V. Sindhu and Sai Praneeth for their historic feats in the World Championships in Basel, Switzerland.   While Sindhu became the first Indian to win a World Championships gold, Praneeth ended a 36-year wait after Prakash Padukone’s feat to secure a bronze for the country in men’s singles.

 

“It was not a conscious ploy to attack right from the first game, but since every aspect of my game was falling in place, I just ensured that the momentum never really slipped away. I am immensely delighted with what is the most important win of my career,” she said.

READ | Gopi Chand: Sindhu Worlds gold one of the defining moments of Indian badminton

“I can’t say whether there was any specific turning point of the championship, but I must repeat that I was at my best in this world championship over a week and that was the key to my success,” Sindhu said.

“Yes, this is the biggest gift I could give to my mother who is celebrating her birthday today and I dedicate this win to my parents, grandparents, coaches, all the support staff at the Gopi academy and fellow players who have always been there with me,” she said.

“Well, one goal is achieved and the next one is there – Olympic. I will really work hard and will prepare to win that one also by doing well in the Super Series in the run-up to the Tokyo Games next year,” an elated Sindhu concluded.

(with inputs from PTI)