PV Sindhu wants to see herself as world No.1 next season - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

PV Sindhu wants to see herself as world No.1 next season

Press Trust of India, New Delhi | ByPress Trust of India
Dec 28, 2017 02:10 PM IST

PV Sindhu reached a career-high of world No.2 in 2017 and also reached the final of the World Badminton Championships.

Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu is eyeing the world no 1 position next season but said she will not lose her sleep over rankings as consistent performances will automatically earn her the numero uno spot.

Badminton player PV Sindhu during a felicitation function in New Delhi.(PTI)
Badminton player PV Sindhu during a felicitation function in New Delhi.(PTI)

Sindhu had achieved a career-best ranking of world no 2 for about two months in the later half of the season.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“I want to see myself as world no 1 in the upcoming season. I am at 3 now and it depends on tournaments, if you play well, you will automatically get the ranking. So I am not thinking much about the rankings. I just have to play well and I know I will automatically be there,” said Sindhu, who guided Chennai Smashers to a 4-3 win over Mumbai Rockets in PBL last night.

READ | Premier Badminton League: PV Sindhu’s Chennai Smashers edge past Mumbai Rockets

The 22-year-old clinched titles at Syed Modi GPG, India Open, Korea Open, besides finishing second at World championship, Hong Kong Open and Dubai Super Series Finals this season.

Sindhu feels the duration of matches in women’s singles have increased after her epic World Championship final against Nozomi Okuhara.

“There are more long matches going on in women’s singles. World Championship was the longest match from my side and after that I could see that the matches in women’s singles prolonging like one and one-and-half hours even though the scores are hear and there. I think each game is going upto 40 minutes,” Sindhu said.

“In the current circuit, there are the Chinese, the Japanese, Okuhara, Tai Tzu Ying, so I don’t think there are short matches any more.”

READ | No motivation for youngsters to take up badminton doubles: Ashwini Ponnappa

Asked if she ever feels pressure when the crowd cheers for her, Sindhu said: “It actually feels very good to play in India, it motivates me when the crowd cheers for me. Recently, I played at Dubai and I was very happy with the huge support I got there.

“Expectations will always be there but we have to play our game and give our best. I don’t feel any pressure,” she added.

According to the new BWF schedule, India Open Super Series will be held by the end of January next year.

Asked if the rejig of tournaments affects the preparation, Sindhu said: “Every year some of the tournaments are shifting here and there. More tournaments are being added and we can’t complain. It doesn’t make any difference if the date and time of the tournaments shift here and there.”

READ | Premier Badminton League: HS Prannoy steers Ahmedabad Smash Masters’ to win vs North Eastern Warriors

Coming back after recovering from a shoulder injury, Sameer Verma, who had clinched the Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold earlier in the season, said PBL is a good platform to judge his fitness and game.

“After injury there is a fear somewhere, so I was also not going all out but PBL is a good match practice as there are lots of top players. I will look to win the next matches. I am looking it as a super series so that I can win continuously. It will help me next season,” he said.

Out of the circuit since the Japan Open in September, Sameer said he will look to remain fit for a long period next season.

“I have realised how important it is to be fit for long term. I was tiring out my body even when I was not getting results. So I will have to look for long term fitness now,” he said.

Catch all the Latest IPL 2024 news and Live Cricket Score along with WPL Schedule and WPL Points Table related updates on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On