Pusarla Venkata Sindhu, the 2019 World Champion, prioritizes her physical and mental readiness when selecting tournaments, rather than following the choices of other players.
The top Indian women’s singles player emphasized that she is not concerned with other players’ decisions to rest or attend central training camps in preparation for the Paris Olympics. Instead, she has chosen to participate in the PERODUA Malaysia Masters (PMM) 2024.
For Sindhu, this tournament is a critical starting point to evaluate her physical and mental state as she gears up for the Olympics in Paris.
“I chose the PERODUA Malaysia Masters because I am fully prepared and have been training intensively. I am at 100 percent confidence right now,” said Sindhu. “It doesn’t matter if the top players are here or not; if we don’t meet in Malaysia, we will likely face each other in another tournament,” she added.
Sindhu acknowledged that the competition in women’s singles is no longer as it used to be, with even lesser-known players capable of surprising the top-ranked athletes.
“Now that we are in May, with June and July approaching, the Olympics are getting closer. It’s crucial for me and other players to maintain peak performance levels as the Games near.
“I always miss the support and cheers from fans in Malaysia. Badminton fans here are very supportive, and I can hear them chanting my name.”
Discussing her preparations for the Olympics, Sindhu shared that her training has been very effective, especially after participating in a series of five consecutive tournaments in Europe.
“Of course, I want to win the title at the PERODUA Malaysia Masters, but my focus is on one match at a time. Winning here would certainly boost my spirits ahead of Paris,” Sindhu stated.
Currently, Sindhu has advanced to the quarterfinals of the PMM 2024 without much difficulty. In the first round, she defeated Scotland’s Kristy Gilmour 21-17, 21-16, and then overcame Korea’s Sim Yu Jin 16-21, 21-11, 21-6, setting up a match against the tournament’s top seed, Han Yue.
