P.. V. Sindhu, India’s badminton star, is adapting her game to the evolving nature of women’s singles, where blistering aggression has given way to stamina-testing rallies. The two-time Olympic medalist acknowledges a challenging “lean phase” this year, marked by four first-round exits and three second-round losses, with a lone quarterfinal appearance at the India Open in January.
Adjusting to the New Tempo
Sindhu explained to reporters at the Sports Authority of India Centre in Bengaluru that the women’s singles game has undergone a significant transformation. “Initially it was more of attack and fast rallies; it has become much more defensive with long rallies and long matches,” she said.
To keep pace, Sindhu and her team have been diligently working on increasing her patience and ability to sustain rallies, emphasizing keeping the shuttle in play for longer periods. She stressed the importance of continuous adaptation, stating, “We have to make changes every time the game changes. As an athlete I have been changing my game, it might take time but it’s important to do it every time.”
Subtle Yet Significant Changes
Under the guidance of her Indonesian coach, Irwansyah Adi Pratama, for the past six months, Sindhu is making nuanced adjustments to her approach. “Back then I used to attack but now every athlete is good in their defence,” she noted. Their focus is now on developing the patience required to maintain rallies that can stretch to “30 strokes or 40 strokes.”
Prioritizing Body and Well-being
At 29, Sindhu is also becoming more attuned to her body’s response to the demanding physical regimen. She understands that her training can’t be the same as it was a decade ago, emphasizing the need to adapt to changes as a player. “Every time we need to make sure our body is in the right direction and we are able to take load, otherwise there are chances of injury and it’s hard to come back,” she explained.
This shift means a more strategic approach to tournaments, prioritizing quality and her physical condition over the sheer number of events. “Earlier we used to have back-to-back four-five tournaments…But now you have to make sure your body condition is good, you can’t just go out there and play five-six tournaments in a row and not being fit,” Sindhu said. She concluded by highlighting the importance of listening to her body: “You rather skip a tournament and train harder and then come back stronger.”
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