PV Sindhu Hungry for Success: Partners with Former Olympian Anup Sridhar as Temporary Coach

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, has embarked on a new chapter in her career, temporarily partnering with former Olympian Anup Sridhar as her coach. Following a disappointing performance at the Paris Olympics, Sindhu is determined to regain her top form, and her collaboration with Sridhar is a crucial step in this journey. The partnership will continue for the rest of the year, after which both parties will evaluate their progress and decide on their future working relationship. Sindhu, eager for success, is currently training intensively for upcoming international tournaments in Finland and Denmark.

A New Coaching Partnership for PV Sindhu

PV Sindhu’s decision to team up with Anup Sridhar comes in the wake of her split with Indonesian coach Agus Dwi Santoso, whose contract ended after the Paris Olympics. Santoso had been Sindhu’s coach for a period leading up to the Olympics, but after a lackluster performance in Paris, Sindhu and her team sought a change in approach. Sridhar, a former international player from Karnataka, stepped into the role after a successful meeting with Sindhu and her team. The temporary collaboration is aimed at helping Sindhu rebuild her game and work on specific areas that need improvement.

For the past three weeks, Sindhu has been training under Sridhar’s guidance at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad. The two have been focusing on various aspects of her game, with a strong emphasis on physical conditioning and court movement. Sindhu, who had previously trained at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA) before the Olympics, is now engaged in daily training sessions lasting nearly five hours. These sessions include not only sparring and tactical drills but also intensive fitness routines to enhance her speed and endurance.

Sridhar is pleased with how the partnership has started and is optimistic about the work they are doing together. "The start has been good so far," Sridhar told the Times of India. "The first priority was to get her pain-free and moving freely on the court, and we've achieved that. Now, we’re working on building her speed and endurance. There's been a decent amount of improvement." He added that he has tailored specific training programs to address the areas where Sindhu has faced challenges, particularly focusing on enhancing her agility and movement across the court.

Rebuilding After a Challenging Period

Sindhu’s recent form has been a cause for concern, as she has not won a single BWF singles title in the past 21 months. This dry spell has raised questions about her ability to maintain her dominance in women’s badminton, where she was once a consistent force. The pressure is now on Sridhar to help Sindhu get back to winning ways, with upcoming tournaments in Finland and Denmark serving as critical tests of their new partnership.

Despite the weight of expectations, Sridhar is taking a measured approach. While acknowledging the importance of results, he emphasizes that real change takes time and cannot be achieved overnight. "The results are certainly important, but I wouldn’t say they’re the only important thing. No miracles are going to be performed either by me or by anybody else—real change takes time," Sridhar said. He believes that this period will be crucial in terms of building a strong working relationship with Sindhu and ensuring open communication, which he sees as key to long-term success.

Sridhar is also mindful of the fact that the results over the next three months will play a significant role in determining whether their partnership extends beyond this temporary arrangement. However, he remains focused on the process rather than the immediate outcomes. "This period is important from the point of view of how we work together and how we communicate. The working relationship will be important," Sridhar said, signaling that their collaboration is about more than just short-term gains.

Upcoming Tournaments: A Test for Sindhu

Sindhu’s first major tests under Sridhar’s coaching will come in October, with the Arctic Open in Finland (Oct 8-13, Super 500) and the Denmark Open in Odense (Oct 15-20, Super 750). These tournaments will be vital in assessing the progress Sindhu has made since her disappointing Olympic campaign. Sridhar has already expressed confidence in Sindhu’s hunger for success, stating, "She’s hungry to do well," as they prepare for these international events.

Both tournaments are expected to draw some of the world’s top badminton players, providing Sindhu with the opportunity to measure herself against elite competition. Her participation in these events will not only test her physical and technical readiness but also her mental resilience, as she looks to regain her winning touch after a challenging period in her career.

The Role of Lee Hyun Il as a Consulting Coach

In addition to Anup Sridhar, Sindhu has also brought on board South Korean badminton legend Lee Hyun Il as a consulting coach. Lee, a former world No. 1 and one of the most respected figures in badminton, will offer his expertise on an interim basis, complementing Sridhar’s coaching efforts. Lee Hyun Il’s wealth of experience at the highest level of the sport is expected to be invaluable as Sindhu works to refine her game and regain her competitive edge.

The inclusion of Lee Hyun Il adds another layer of depth to Sindhu’s coaching team. His insights into game strategy, coupled with Sridhar’s focus on physical conditioning and court movement, provide a comprehensive approach to Sindhu’s training. As Sindhu prepares for her return to the international circuit, the combination of these two coaches could prove to be a winning formula.

Looking Ahead: Sindhu’s Quest for Redemption

PV Sindhu is undoubtedly one of India’s greatest badminton players, and her accomplishments speak for themselves. However, the past year and a half have been challenging for the shuttler, and the disappointment of the Paris Olympics has left her hungry for redemption. With Anup Sridhar now guiding her training and Lee Hyun Il offering his expertise, Sindhu has the support she needs to mount a comeback.

Sindhu’s upcoming tournaments in Finland and Denmark will serve as crucial stepping stones in her journey toward regaining her form. The next few months will also determine whether her partnership with Sridhar will extend beyond this year. While the results in these events are important, Sindhu’s focus will also be on improving her overall game, building her confidence, and finding the consistency that has been missing in recent times.

As Sindhu gears up for the challenges ahead, one thing is clear: she remains as driven as ever to succeed. With a new coaching team behind her and a renewed sense of purpose, PV Sindhu is poised to make her mark once again on the global badminton stage. Fans and experts alike will be watching closely as she embarks on this critical phase of her career, hopeful that she will return to her winning ways and add more titles to her already impressive resume.