“Tournaments Can Wait, Because Life Comes First,” Says PV Sindhu

Just over two months to go for the Olympics, it can’t be easiest for an elite athlete to just stay home and not be actively competing. But given the unique and unprecedented situations that we are in, that is exactly what PV Sindhu is having to do. But in her unassuming manner, the Olympic silver medalist says that above all comes life, and everything else can wait.

"It is sad that the whole world has come to a standstill but before sportspersons, we are human beings and life comes first!”

While lack of match-play is indeed a bit of a concern, she is completely confident that her team of coaches, led by Park Tae Sang are able to be simulating enough match-scenarios for her to stay in shape – both mentally & physically before the Olympics.

Speaking to PTI, the star Indian shuttler made no complaints about the slew of cancelled tournaments and sought to remain more focused on things that are in her control than otherwise.

Currently straining at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium and using the facilities at the Suchitra Academy for fitness, Sindhu remains cautiously optimistic about the Olympics in just over two months’ time.

"Well, we were thinking that Singapore will be the last event before Olympics but now we don't have another option, so I am playing matches against different players and my coach Park is trying to create match situations for me in training. Different players have different styles like Tai Tzu (Ying) or Ratchanok (Intanon) have different styles of play, but Park is there to guide me, to prepare me for it," Sindhu said. 

"Obviously, we will be playing each other after a few months and there will be something new in our games, so I will have to prepare for that," the star shuttler added.

Talking about the current situation of lockdowns and travel restrictions, Sindhu opined that there is little choice but to take these in one’s stride. “"For the moment, events are being cancelled and I know sportspersons are sad but I think it is good for the people...Organizer’s take a lot of measures and keep us in a bubble but still we need to be careful."

Looking forward to the Olympics, the Rio Silver Medalist is aware of the new reality. As tests, bio-bubbles and quarantines become the order of the day. 

“In Olympics, I have heard that every day they will be testing us. Before we take off, we have to clear an RT-PCR test and after getting down we do a test again, it is definitely a tough task," she admits. However, she hopes that there wouldn’t be a repeat of some of the incidents to have plagued the All England earlier this year.

“...it is the Olympics and there will be so many athletes from so many countries, but they also have to be very careful. As an athlete we have to prepare and just hope that everything is fine in the next few months,” says the world number seven. 

Finally, coming back to how the year is shaping up, the Swiss Open Finalist believes that she is beginning to find her form and a good start to the season means she can look forward to the rest of it with confidence.