New Delhi: After silver at Rio 2016 followed by bronze at Tokyo 2020, Sindhu’s natural target is to win gold at Paris Olympics, for which she reckons the need to be a lot “smarter”.
She has experienced on her corner and after changing four coaches in a year, she claims to have found stability and comfort under mentor Prakash Padukone.
“It is challenging, it’s not easy but, at the same time, it’s not impossible,” Sindhu said during a media interaction on Sunday.
“Going into the third Olympics, I need to be smarter. I have a lot of experience on my side and I need to be much more smarter and I hope I can change the colour, and of course, get another medal for the country.”
Sindhu has battled injuries and loss of form in the build-up to the Paris Games, but training in “peaceful” Germany before the Games helped her regain greater focus, she said.
“It took me some time to come back (from injury) and I feel that now I’m doing well. I feel that there’s been a lot of improvement and I know that I can do much better and I’m confident that I’m getting there. I need to keep believing in myself and keep working much harder.
Been part of two Olympics campaign has mader Sinfhu realise that Olympics is a different ball game compared to other events and it needs freater attention and preparation.
“I’ve played two Olympics and this will be my third and every time the game keeps changing, every Olympics there are different players.
“So it is going to be very challenging and really hard because one is we know each other’s game and two is the game has completely changed and I think there are a lot of players who would be looking at your game, how you’re playing, what are they doing, what needs to be done,” the 28-year-old said.
“So there are a lot of tactics and techniques which will go into this and also physically and mentally you need to be much more stronger, much smarter.”
Padukone’s touch
The right hander also disclosed that Padukone has pointed out flaws that needed rectification.
“He observes a lot. When he sat behind me in the last All England and French Open, his inputs were quite simple. He just always told me that you know just play freely and just give your best,” Sindhu divulged.
She also stressed on the importance on improving her overall game and not limit her willingness to improve only on specific areas.
“… Physically and mentally I am right there, I just have to be smarter and my coach Agus (Dwi Santoso) has been taking care of that, my trainer has been taking care of my physical part.
“I am working on all the strokes, whether it is defence, or attack or netplay, it is important to be perfect in all things,” the former world champion said.
“So I’m not focussing on just one stroke or technique, because you never know what it is going to be, there are players who are smart enough to change and move to plan B.
“So you need to be prepared for it and I am focusing on practicing each and everything to make everything perfect — each stroke, all techniques.”
Shuttler PV Sindhu will eye the gold medal at Paris Olympics after claiming a silver and a bronze in previous two editions of the Games. Badminton Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
