Expectations are high after the Rio Olympics and it’s tougher now, says Sindhu ahead of All England

2018 is different from past years for badminton players, with tight schedule throughout. Besides the Badminton World Federation (BWF) tournaments, players need to maintain the consistency of participation in the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games as well, which needs to be too picky with the tournaments.

World no. 4 Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu said, “2018 is a big year, starting with the All-England Championships. Then there's the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games too. It's my goal to finish the year as No. 1 and I've realised that I need to work on my mental and physical strength. Since the top-20 players have been very consistent, the matches are lasting close to two hours. Therefore, I've been paying more attention to my fitness,” as quoted by TOI.

As the badminton governing body developing new rules, it is forcing the shuttlers to not just be engaged with the participation but also be fit, which is the supreme priority.

Sindhu said, “The schedule is already underway, there is not point of complaining. It all depends on the individual to sit and plan with the coach regarding the participation in any tournament. And injuries and fitness cannot be avoided.”

Winning silver at the Rio Olympics in 2016, Sindhu reached apex of the badminton in India which brought her fame, yet she finds it more tougher as the responsibility is increasing with the expectations.

The 22-year-old said, “Expectations have risen after the Olympics and to keep up to those, I have to work harder. Fans want us to win every tournament, and of course that is tough at times but I always give my best. Reaching to the Olympics level was hard but maintaining the level is more harder. But for me this is just the start because I want to achieve so much more.”

The proposal of the 11-point format which is the best-of-five system didn’t please Sindhu. “It's comparatively different. Anything can happen. If you take a lead of five of six points in the current system, you can still cover up as there are 15 points left, but here if you lose five or six points, it's almost over. You need to focus from the first point and can't afford to make unforced errors. I prefer 21 rather than 11. They have asked for a feedback from the players and I have said 21 was good enough.”