Expectations not add pressure, they make me work harder: PV Sindhu

CHENNAI: World champion PV Sindhu said sky-high expectation from her makes her work even harder as she aims at a second medal in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics in July-august.

"From the Rio Olympics to now, my life has changed a lot. I won a lot and I lost some. I have been improving step by step. Not much was expected of me when I went to Rio but now people look for a gold medal from me," Sindhu, who is here to play for Hyderabad Hunters in the fifth edition of PBL, said.

"I look at it in a positive way when everyone expects me to do well. I don't consider that as added pressure and that will only make me work even harder. It's not going to be easy but I'm prepared for the challenges awaiting me," she added.

Being an Olympic year, the world No 6 said it was good to play the PBL because one got to play with top players which is helpful.

"We get to play with top quality players in PBL like Tai Tzu Ying, which is helpful in an Olympicyear. We get to learn a lot from the foreign players, who come up with useful inputs. Even I get to improve some aspects of my game by interacting with foreign talent. They offer useful tips that can help the growth of a player.

"There is a lot more time before the Olympics. We have a couple of important events in the runup to Olympics. For now, my focus is on helping my team in the PBL. I just want to play my game and enjoy," she added. The 24-year old shuttler, who has had an up-and-down run since winning the world title in Basel last year, said she was working on her mental fitness, adding it was important to be in a positive frame of mind and come back stronger.