Sindhu's big-tournament magic: will she shine again?

PV Sindhu, the renowned Indian badminton star, is known for her remarkable performances at the BWF World Championships. Despite facing challenges in recent times, the world championships have been her arena to shine. Let's explore Sindhu's connection with this prestigious event and what to expect from her this time.

PV Sindhu, at 28 years old, has built a special reputation at the BWF World Championships, often referred to as one of the "big tournament players." Her tall and lanky stature from Hyderabad has made her an international badminton icon. She's one of only two women's singles shuttlers (alongside China's Zhang Ning) to have won five or more medals at this Grade 1 tournament.

Even when Sindhu faces a challenging year, experiencing loss of form and not securing medals or trophies, the World Championships have consistently seen her bounce back. From 2013 to 2021, Sindhu consistently medaled at every major individual badminton event, with just one exception in 2015. This remarkable streak has firmly established her among the elite in international badminton.

Challenges and comeback

Last year, Sindhu was in excellent form leading up to the Worlds. She had a successful season, ending a 29-month title drought by clinching four titles, including the Commonwealth Games gold. However, a significant setback occurred when she won the gold in Birmingham but suffered a left foot stress fracture. This injury forced her to miss the World Championships for the first time, keeping her out of action for six months.

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Sindhu's return to the badminton circuit this year has been less than stellar. She has fallen short of the high standards she's set in the past. In 14 individual tournaments this year, she exited in the first two rounds nine times. She reached the quarter-finals twice, the semi-finals twice, and the final once at the Spain Masters in April. Her ranking also took a hit as she dropped out of the top 10 in March, a position she had held since November 2016. However, she managed to climb back to No. 15 following some strong performances.

Challenges ahead

With a new coach, former All England champion Muhammad Hafiz Hashim, Sindhu hopes for a turnaround. However, the landscape of women's singles badminton has evolved with the emergence of young talents like An Se Young and Chen Yufei. Experienced players like Tai Tzu Ying and Carolina Marin are now chasing the rising stars. Sindhu, seeded 16th in this tournament, may face former world champion Nozomi Okuhara in Round 2, a rival she has battled in two World Championship finals.

Sindhu's success will depend on her confidence, belief, and form, which have been inconsistent recently. Nevertheless, the BWF World Championships have historically been a platform where she's excelled, and it remains to be seen if she can recapture that magic and add to her remarkable legacy.

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