'Thankful to Have Prakash Padukone Sir as My Mentor': PV Sindhu After 1st Win in Paris Olympics 2024

Indian shuttler PV Sindhu began her Paris Olympics campaign with a convincing win over Maldives’ Fathimath Abdul Razzaq in the women’s singles group-stage game. The two-time Olympic medallist took just 29 minutes to dispatch her lower-ranked opponent 21-9 21-6 in the Group M fixture.

“I was confident, having played with her before, so I knew how she plays. It felt like a practice match, but I didn’t want to take it easy. I took the lead and wanted to get used to the court for a while. I gave away a few points and we had some rallies. Ultimately, it was a comfortable win for me,” Sindhu told JioCinema after the victory.

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The 29-year-old also discussed her comeback and how she dealt with her recent injuries.

“It’s quite challenging both physically and mentally. I needed to stay positive and prepare myself physically, especially since I was injured at the beginning of the year. I gradually started my recovery in February. Injuries can leave you feeling uncertain and mentally unbalanced, but my support staff and the people around me kept me motivated. I’m grateful to Prakash Sir, Agus (Agus Dwi Santoso), my entire support staff, and my parents for their support,” she said.

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Sindhu has been mentored by the legendary Prakash Padukone in the past few months, and she said the association has been beneficial to her.

“I believe every day is a learning experience. One can’t get complacent even if they have won everything. Prakash Sir has been incredibly helpful; he’s a legend with a lot of experience, so he understands my game and my mistakes. He always offers his perspective. It’s great that I now train in Bangalore, where he’s always available. I’m very thankful to have him as my mentor—he constantly advises me on what is needed on the court. I strive to rectify my mistakes and come back stronger,” she concluded.

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