The new star in women’s badminton, P.V. Sindhu says she has to maintain consistency at the highest level.
Fresh from last week’s Macau Open Grand Prix title-triumph, the 18-year-old shuttler says that though she is happy to finish off the year with a title, she would have felt better if she had performed more consistently — especially after becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal (bronze) in a world championship.
“I am happy with the way I have improved in smashes and drops. But I need to work a lot on many other areas. Learning is a never-ending process at this level,” said Sindhu on Tuesday at the Gopichand’s Academy here. “Gopi sir is working with me and he plans everything including which tournament I should play.”
“Yes, 2013 has been a very happy one for I won two Grand Prix titles, the world championship bronze and the Arjuna Award too.
“But I cannot rest on these laurels as there are many bigger goals to chase,” she said.
“The international badminton circuit is very hectic with so many events lined up and leading players aiming to sustain or improve their rankings.
“I am not saying there will be more pressure because of this. But certainly, you have to be at your best in fitness too,” she said. Her next big event is the senior national in two weeks time.
Sindhu said she was not under pressure at the Macau Open even though it was the last event for her this year and she badly needed a big win.
“I was not thinking on those lines. Yes, it was disappointing not to win a few more titles after the world championship bronze.
“But winning or losing is part of the game. You can’t play the same way throughout the year. You have ups and downs. I will try to win more titles next year,” she said.
Meanwhile, Gopichand feels Sindhu has shaped up well — as per his expectations this year.
“She is young and can achieve bigger things on the circuit. When someone has the will to keep improving as Sindhu has, the results are bound to come,” the chief national coach said.
