Dubai World Series: Sindhu says she can’t afford to relax

DUBAI: Words like belief, hard work and determination have become a part of Indian badminton’s vocabulary of late. Those three aspects have played a key role in India’s recent success on the world stage.

From Saina Nehwal to PV Sindhu to Kidambi Srikanth, all have executed their game well on the court, living up to the motivational words to be counted among the world’s best.

Sindhu and Srikanth will have another opportunity to further their credentials with a fine performance in the World Superseries Finals, which will kick-off here on December 13.

STRONGEST FIELDS Sindhu is clubbed with Akane Yamaguchi, Sayaka Sato and He Bingjiao in women’s group A. Srikanth is in men’s group Group B with Shi Yuqi, Chou Tien Chen and Viktor Axelsen.

Their paths won’t be easy but like they have done the whole season they are not afraid to take the fight to their opponents.

Being on top comes with its own high expectations but Sindhu feels she doesn’t let pressure throw her off her games.

“I think I shouldn’t take any pressure because after the Olympics the expectations have increased. I set goals this season like winning the Superseries title and have done it. I did well at the World Championships and won many more tournaments. At Dubai, it will be different as the world’s best players will be action and you need to be very much focused from the first match. But I hope to go one step better than last season,” said Sindhu, who made it to the semifinals last season. Her determination to not get bogged down by previous defeats came to the fore against Nozomi Okuhara at the Korea Open.

Sindhu had lost an epic World Championships final against the Japanese but she didn’t let it affect her when she squared off against Okuhara and went on to win the title.

“That was really a very important win for me. To do that against the same player who had beaten you in a tournament before made me gain a lot of confidence,” she added.