London: India’s PV Sindhu had a spectacular 2019 season as she became the first Indian women’s singles player to win the badminton world title.
In February 2019, Sindhu signed a four-year sponsorship contract of US$7.0 million with Li Ning and was selected as Forbes’ list of Highest-Paid Female Athletes in 2019.
Although she was named the BBC Indian Sportswoman of Year on March 8, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption to the 2020 international calendar. Sindhu has decided to train in England since October, trying to maintain her physical fitness and improving her skills.
Currently, she has been under the guidance of a team of experts from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI), while training with British shuttlers Toby Penty and Rajiv Ouseph at England’s National Training Centre.
Speaking to the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Sindhu said Rajiv Ouseph has shown her a different way of playing defense.
“One player might say my defense is weak and Raj (Ouseph) would say ‘Ok, this is what you need to do,’ so it’s really good to get that perspective,” said Sindhu.
While the five-time Commonwealth medallist Rajiv Ouseph has announced his retirement from international badminton in July of 2019 and has taken up the coaching role, the World No. 52 Toby Penty did play at the Denmark Open in October but lost in the first round match 12-21, 18-21 to India’s Kidambi Srikanth.
The 25-year-old also explained her decision to move to England for training, which had caused quite a stir among shuttlers in India.
“I did not want to stop my training. I wanted to strengthen my fitness and keep myself in good shape,” added Sindhu.
“The new season of badminton will start in January, and with all the training and practicing in England, I feel like I am 100% ready,” continued Sindhu.
“The long break has given me time to improve my strokes and fitness level, and I am mentally and physically stronger because of the long time off. I am looking forward to playing in Bangkok.”
The new season international badminton calendar will begin in January 2021 with two Thailand Open events starting from January 12, followed by the 2020 BWF World Tour Finals.
