Pusarla Venkata Sindhu may be just 22 years old, but she has a world of experience already under her belt when it comes to winning medals in the 'big ones'. Sindhu, who won the silver medal in Rio Olympics, is also the double bronze medalist in World Championships in the 2013 and 2014 editions in Guangzhou and Copenhagen respectively.
Its no secret that her aim will be to improve upon the bronze in the upcoming 2017 edition of the BWF World Championships to be held in Glasgow from August 21 to 27. The current world number 5 has focused expressly on preparing for the World Championships this year with this in mind.
In the current year, Sindhu has made it to three Super Series quarter finals—All England Open, Singapore and Australian—besides the quarter finals of the Badminton Asia Championships. She won the India Open, beating Olympic champion Carolina Marin, as well as the Syed Modi International Badminton Championship, both on home turf.
Since the end of June, Sindhu has been training hard at the SAI-Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Gachibowli, Hyderabad under the watchful eyes of chief coach Pullela Gopichand, foreign coach Mulyo Handoyo and their team of coaches. Seeded fourth in the Glasgow edition, she will meet Japan's Kim Hyo-min (ranked 42) in Round 2 after getting a first round bye.
China, Japan and India are only three countries with four qualifications in the women's section of the World Championships. China will miss the services of their double silver medalist in the event Li Xueri. Sindhu will be accompanied by World No. 10 Saina Nehwal, Rituparna Das and Tanvi Lad.
THE WEEK caught up with Sindhu at the academy as she is preparing to compete in the most important competition of the year.
How do you look at your performances in the first half of the year ? Are you satisfied—winning two and making it to four quarter finals of Super Series events?
I think yes. Every time we can't play 100 per cent; ups and downs happen, its a lesson everyone learns. Every tournament is different—sometimes you might play brilliantly, sometimes you don't. Sometimes you get upset, its good to learn how to come out from that, rectify those mistakes as long as one doesn't repeat those mistakes.
All top seeds start focusing on preparing for the big events rather than results in numerous events. What about you?
Yes, I think each tournament has its own thing and after Olympic World Championships, All England become more important. Since I don't have any tournaments till August, my full focus is preparing for the WC.
What will be your approach going into the 2017 World Championships?
We didn't play last year, last year it was about Olympics. Each round will be tough, not easy. There are many top players; rankings don't matter at all, its each game at a time.
I had enough time—one and a half months and more—to prepare which is a good thing. The Indonesian coaches are hard taskmasters. They have been working on improving our fitness levels.
It is one of the most important competitions. Next year will be very hectic with Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. The Top 20 players, all are equally strong game wise, physically.
What is the difference that you feel in your game working with Mulyo?
We have been equally working off court and on court; there are the long training sessions also. Its good; there should be some change in routine. Now he's come to know each player individually and working specifically with them.
Earlier all the focus was on you or Saina, now boys are performing consistently. Do you feel the pressure of expectations has shifted a bit?
Its always there. We must go with empty mind; you have trained enough, planned accordingly. They (men's team) have worked hard and got the results.
How do you approach the rankings?
Rankings are important but it shouldn't be that we have to depend on them only. If you play well, your ranking automatically goes up.
Even I want to see myself as number one in the world; people asked me when. Its not very easy. I set aims and goals, like by the end of year I should be in top three. In one way it was good; in February I was Number 2. I felt very happy.
How are you looking to get consistency in your game and results that you often speak about?
Of course, consistency is important. We are all working hard, its about who does well that day. It has improved a lot I think. Before I would lose to junior players, suddenly beat top players. I have improved on that.
