"Three matches in 18 hours... it took a toll": PV Sindhu after Asian Games exit
PV Sindhu opens up about the physical toll of playing three matches in 18 hours before her Asian Games quarterfinal defeat.
India’s two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has opened up about the immense physical and mental exhaustion that contributed to her exit from the Asian Games. Reflecting on her quarterfinal loss to China's Chen Yu Fei, the badminton star highlighted the punishing schedule that left her with almost no time to recover between high-stakes matches.
The Brutal 18-Hour Grind
The toll of the tournament's scheduling became evident during a grueling stretch for the Indian star. Sindhu revealed that she was forced to compete in three matches within a mere 18-hour window, a feat that pushed her body to its limits.
Following a demanding second contest that lasted until nearly 1:00 a.m., Sindhu returned to her hotel to manage her dinner and recovery routines. She was only able to find sleep around 3:00 a.m., only to be required back on the court by 8:30 a.m. the following morning for her crucial quarterfinal clash.
"Three matches in 18 hours. Back at 3 a.m., out again at 8:30 a.m. It took a toll," Sindhu shared in a post on X, expressing the difficulty of maintaining peak performance under such circumstances.
A Heartbreaking Quarterfinal Defeat
Despite the fatigue, Sindhu showed flashes of her world-class brilliance early in the match against the former world champion, Chen Yu Fei. The Indian star dominated the opening game, securing it 21-11. However, the momentum shifted as the match progressed.
As the rallies grew longer and more demanding, the physical exhaustion seemed to catch up with the Indian star. Chen responded with increased intensity, taking the second game 21-18 and eventually overwhelming Sindhu in the decider with a 21-10 scoreline.
Sindhu expressed deep regret over the narrow margins of the loss, noting that she kept coming back to the missed opportunities. "I had my chance. Letting it slip hurts," she admitted, specifically mentioning how long rallies at critical moments turned the tide in China's favor.
Twelve Years of Dedication
While the defeat was painful, Sindhu chose to look at the broader picture of her illustrious career. Having made her Asian Games debut in 2014, this marked her fourth appearance at the prestigious event.
- A Decade of Service: Twelve years of representing India on the continental stage.
- Resilience: A commitment to bringing her "all" to the court despite setbacks.
- Future Focus: A promise to work with her team to fix the errors made during critical moments.
"One painful result cannot define a journey that means so much," she wrote, emphasizing her pride in her long-standing service to Indian badminton.
Scheduling Controversies Hit the Tournament
Sindhu is not the only athlete to voice concerns regarding the tournament's organization. The scheduling issues have sparked criticism across the badminton community. Other prominent players, including Indonesia's Jonatan Christie and Japan's Kodai Naraoka, also faced late finishes and insufficient recovery periods.
Even China's world No. 1 in women's doubles, Tan Ning, raised concerns about the program. While organizers had previously adjusted the badminton schedule due to changes in the number of participating athletes, no official explanation has been provided regarding the complaints from the players.
With Sindhu's exit and Unnati Hooda's quarterfinal loss to Japan's Akane Yamaguchi, India's individual badminton campaign has concluded. The men's team bronze remains India's sole medal in the sport at this edition of the Games.