In 2023, several prominent Indian athletes took a break to introspect and rejuvenate. Whether recovering from injuries or seeking to rediscover their lost form, the pause was essential. The aspiration is that, come the significant events, they will be fully prepared and revitalized for the impending challenges.
As the world revels in holiday festivities and indulges in favorite dishes, PV Sindhu is gearing up for a comeback in 2024 after a title-less 2023 left her hungry for success.
Having dominated the grand stages from 2013 to 2019, Sindhu faced a challenging season with notable absences of victories against formidable opponents. The prospect of claiming a medal in Paris appears distant, though the coveted gold remains her ultimate objective. While anticipation builds for a resurgent performance from the seasoned big-event player, Bengaluru is preparing for Sindhu’s gradual return during the spring, with coach Vimal Kumar offering insights from the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy.
Despite securing several quarterfinals and semifinals in the last 10 tournaments, Sindhu’s performance only partially masked the disappointment of eight first-round exits since her move to Bengaluru around the time of the Asian Games. Coach Vimal Kumar emphasizes the need for Sindhu to notch victories against top players like An Se Young, Carolina Marin, and Tai Tzu-Ying to validate the impact of her training. Kumar acknowledges the difficulty of this task, setting the benchmark for Sindhu’s real test.
While Sindhu managed to challenge Marin in Malaysia and Denmark, Vimal sees victories against Tai Tzu, Chen Yufei, and Se Young as crucial for medal aspirations in Paris. An uphill battle awaits against Se Young, who has consistently outplayed Sindhu in their six encounters. Younger players like He Bingjiao, Nozomi Okuhara, and Akane Yamaguchi also pose challenges, making it difficult for Sindhu to regain confidence.
Despite glimpses of renewed determination, Sindhu faced another setback with a knee injury at the French Open, prompting a need for serious attention and subsequent rest. Her trusted trainer, Srikanth Verma, is no longer part of her team, and coach Hafiz Hashim has been replaced by Indonesian Santoso Agus. Agus is set to join Sindhu in Bengaluru over the New Year’s weekend to establish a coaching framework, providing support during her two-and-a-half-month hiatus from match practice.
Acknowledging the difficulties ahead, Vimal emphasizes the importance of a solid support team and the elimination of uncertainties for Sindhu’s journey back to competitive badminton. Despite the coaching changes and post-injury struggles, Sindhu remains determined to overcome the challenges and make a strong comeback on the international badminton stage.
‘Prakash might travel’
Sindhu’s well-documented challenges prompted Padukone to extend a helping hand, an offer she promptly accepted. This collaboration may lead to Padukone, who has been inactive in coaching for several years, accompanying Sindhu to significant tournaments. Vimal shares, “Prakash might travel,” and suggests that Padukone’s presence, given his stature, could provide comfort and support. However, he emphasizes that Sindhu must take the initiative and actively engage in the process.
The diminishing aura surrounding Sindhu served as the catalyst for Padukone’s reentry into the coaching arena. It began with losses to Top-Tenners and extended to defeats against new entrants, eroding her once invincible image at major events. Notable among these losses were setbacks against second-tier Chinese players Zhang Yi Man and Wang Zhi Yi. Additionally, struggles against left-handed opponents, starting with Supanida Katethong, became apparent. While discussions about a potential biopic starring Deepika Padukone circulate, the 1980 All England champion sees a badminton challenge in Sindhu’s journey that he is willing to undertake and contribute to.
Vimal candidly acknowledges Sindhu’s prolonged struggle, spanning a couple of years. He notes a lack of joy on her face and a visible disinterest in playing, emphasizing that the downturn could have been addressed earlier. Despite being 28 and facing inevitable wear and tear, Sindhu’s decline had been apparent for some time.
In her prime, Sindhu displayed swifter movements, utilized smashes strategically, and excelled in creating openings at the net while taking the initiative in rallies. However, over time, her game suffered as aggression waned, and variety ceased to be a part of her playing style. In an attempt to shore up defensive weaknesses, Sindhu sacrificed a significant portion of her attacking instincts. Vimal points out that opponents exploited her vulnerability in defending shots directed at her body, leading her to focus excessively on defense at the expense of her strengths. While her overall defensive skills remained commendable, the overemphasis on defense caused her to lose the edge in attacking play. Vimal clarifies that effective attack involves more than just hitting shots from various angles; it’s about seizing control of the rally at the net, employing clever tumbles, holding the shuttle, and executing well-timed half-smashes.
With Padukone stepping in, there’s an expectation that he will enhance Sindhu’s repertoire of strokes from the back, instilling confidence to execute deceptive half-smashes at opportune moments. The focus is on incorporating a series of well-coordinated sequences to add layers to Sindhu’s strategic understanding of the game.
Looking overseas
The Bengaluru team is encouraging Sindhu to explore overseas sparring opportunities, possibly facing players like Ratchanok Intanon, a close friend on the circuit. They advocate a practice approach similar to short stints undertaken by Viktor Axelsen or Lee Zii Jia, involving varied players to simulate real face-offs. Vimal emphasizes the importance of Sindhu seeking quality women’s singles players for training, as practicing against boys offers a different dynamic that may not be as beneficial. Despite her considerable success, Sindhu’s willingness to continue learning is praised.
A significant part of Sindhu’s challenge lies in motivating herself once again, despite her numerous achievements. Vimal acknowledges her impressive record as the best player on the Indian badminton scene, securing two Olympic medals. However, he believes that, given her level, Sindhu could have achieved even more, potentially winning tournaments like the All England and reaching World No.1 status. While acknowledging the difficulty of the task ahead, Vimal expresses confidence in Sindhu’s diligence, willingness to make sacrifices, and the few good years she still has in her career.
Drawing a parallel with Saina Nehwal’s move from Hyderabad to Bengaluru eight years ago, Vimal notes that Saina was mentally tougher at the age of 24, displaying fearlessness and bravery. Sindhu, at 28, faces a different scenario, having experienced a significant setback with her knee injury. Vimal advises Sindhu not to overexert herself, citing Saina’s injury setback ahead of Rio 2016.
Looking ahead to the competition in women’s singles for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Vimal notes the resurgence of top players like Okuhara, Marin, and Tai Tzu-Ying. Despite the challenges posed by a new team and the recent knee issues, there is optimism for Sindhu’s resolve and ambition. While the gold medal may seem distant, the absence of a medal in the previous season could fuel Sindhu’s determination for one last push in her already illustrious career.
What 2023 taught, what 2024 means
Challenging Year: Sindhu faced a tough year, marking the first time in many years without clinching a single title. She encountered eight first-round exits and secured only two victories against Top-Ten players. Disappointingly, she suffered early exits at major events like the Asian Games and World Championships. Despite the struggles, there were glimpses of resilience, as she managed to snatch games off formidable opponents such as Tai Tzu-Ying, An Se Young, and Carolina Marin. Notably, she also reversed a previous defeat against Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, a rising Top-10 player.
Reconfiguration: The coaching setup underwent constant changes following Sindhu’s separation from Park Tae Sang. Two other coaches came and went before Prakash Padukone stepped in to offer assistance. Sindhu also parted ways with her long-time trainer, Srikanth Verma. Although she found some solace in training alongside her Indian teammates during the European swing, she opted to make a move, expressing her intention to return to the Gopichand Academy in Bengaluru, where her journey to success began.
What’s Ahead: With a protected ranking, Sindhu is anticipated to make her comeback in February, targeting the All England Open. There’s speculation that Padukone might accompany her as an on-court coach. While Sindhu is not struggling to qualify for Paris, she aims to secure victories against tough opponents like An Se Young and Tai Tzu-Ying to reaffirm her capability to challenge the top players in the circuit.
