Ever-hungry Sindhu targets record sixth Worlds medal

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Sindhu during a practice session in New Delhi on Sunday. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

Five-time World championships medallist P.V. Sindhu will look for a record-breaking sixth prize as she begins her campaign here on Monday. A half dozen medals will make her the first women’s singles player to achieve the feat in the tournament.

Fresh from ending a long wait for a title at the Japan Open, Sindhu said the triumph had given her the confidence for the World championships. “It has been quite good, physically and mentally. I have been able to see the changes in terms of my game and my movement,” she said.

One thing that has remained throughout her career, she said, is her “hunger towards the game”.

But the game has evolved, with women’s singles becoming more demanding. “Women’s singles used to be more attacking and fast-paced. Now it is more about long rallies, patience and staying on court for a longer period,” she said.

Experience, she added, has helped her deal with conditions that can force players to alter their style.

“I’m much more experienced now in terms of how to deal with different conditions on court.

“Sometimes there is drift, and sometimes you cannot control the shuttle the way you want.

“You have to change accordingly and make things convenient for yourself.”

The home setting brings added expectations, but the pressure that comes with playing a high-stakes match is nothing new to her.

“I have played a lot of first-round matches where I had butterflies and there is a lot of pressure… at the same time, there is nothing to lose. I just want to give my best because I have trained hard and I have worked hard in my training session”.

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