PV Sindhu has made the nation proud. The badminton ace is one of two Indians who have won multiple individual medals at the Olympics. But it seems like there is no chance for a hat trick. Sindhu claimed silver in Rio (2016) and a bronze in Tokyo (2020), tying Sushil Kumar as the only two-time individual medalist for India.
Olympic dream over for PV Sindhu?
The former World No. 2 hasn’t won a title since August 2022, and injuries have troubled her for the past year. Once a sure-shot contender for each event she played in, now she’s not even guaranteed to make the quarterfinals. After suffering a second-round exit at the Badminton Asia Championships 2024, her world tour ranking stands at 32.
Although she gave Han Ye a run for her money, it seems like the best is past her. The concern isn’t just one early exit. Sindhu returned to the sport after a 5-month hiatus in March at the French Open. She played three matches there; all went to three games, and she went out in the quarters.
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The start after a long layoff wasn’t bad. But that followed a thrashing at the All England Open; she won her first match via retirement and was handed a straight-game defeat in the very next round. The Swiss Open wasn’t better; she once again exited from the second round, losing in three games after going up 1-0.
Her form looked better in Spain last month, but once again she lost in three games in the quarterfinal. A trend seems to be emerging: PV Sindhu, although challenging her opponent, seems like her ability to finish things isn’t there anymore. She smashed her racket after losing to Supanida Katethong after being 20-15 up in the last game.
Sindhu may find her form in the coming months, but the writing seems to be on the wall for the badminton ace.
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