It has been a remarkable rise for Indian shuttler PV Sindhu. The 22-year old shot to fame after her brilliant run in the Rio Olympics last year. In spite of falling short in the final, Sindhu won everyone’s hearts as she returned to a heroic reception.
Sindhu credits everything to her coach, the great Pullela Gopichand for all the success that he has attained her career so far.
She also points out how his intense training sessions made her push her boundaries, something that has only helped her in the long run.
“Sometimes you push the limits and you can’t move any more. But if you think about it after somedays, you wonder, ‘Oh God, how did I do that?’.”
“Only today I was thinking — how did I play 73 shots in that match? But at that time, when the match is on, you don’t know what keeps you going,” Sindhu says.
Sindhu also spoke about how you need to ensure that you keep your wits about yourself in the face of intense pressure.
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“When I play a long rally, and opponents get tired and I get a point, that’s the biggest thrill for me. I’m always like, ‘Hmm, let’s see who can get that long point. I’m also not gonna leave the shuttle, toh dekhte hain (let’s see) who wins’,” she says, with mock menace in her twinkling eyes.
Sindhu’s father also played badminton, and is a big inspiration for her daughter.
“Whenever my dad’s friends come home, they say your dad used to play super. And that jump he took!… It was deceptive. When he jumped, they didn’t understand where he was hitting and he didn’t let opponents end a point. I never saw it, but I try and imagine and look at pictures,” Sindhu beams.
Sindhu is also quite relaxed about not winning her gold yet, because she knows that it will come in some time.
“There’s a small feeling ‘Arre, I could have got that gold in my hand’. It’s not like, ‘I didn’t play this, or I could’ve done that’. I played everything, gave it my all. I cried a lot after the match was over. Happens… My gold will come.”
Sindhu was also asked about Saina Nehwal, and what is her relationship with Saina.
“Umm, we’re just hi-bye types.”
She also said that she loves watching movies, both Tollywood and Bollywood.
“Deepika (Padukone), Ranveer Singh, Ranbir (Kapoor), Manish, and Samantha and Prabhas in Telugu, are favourites, but I watch most movies that are released. I go to theatres even if I get mobbed.”
“I should also get time to enjoy. Theatres are dark, so as soon as the movie gets over, I immediately leave. I walk past crowds,” she says, unruffled by the ruckus in her wake
