‘I’VE LEARNED A LOT FROM MY MISTAKES’
Shuttler PV Sindhu says defeats don’t deter her, as she stays focussed on her game
After making India proud on the badminton court, most recently last December, PV Sindhu has kicked off 2019 on a stylish note. The ace sportsperson who made her runway debut on Sunday, spoke about walking the ramp, making sports compulsory in schools and why failure is not a bad thing after all.
Sindhu, who owned the runway when she walked for Misfit Panda at Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2019, in Mumbai, called it a fun experience. “Being a sportsperson, comfort in footwear is very important. I would love to dress up. However, for me, it all depends on the occasion because at the end of the day it is about what suits you and what you are comfortable in,” she says.
While women can find sportswear tricky at times, Sindhu feels just as there is a rehearsal before any fashion show, sportspersons should do the same. “I do wear dresses when I am playing and at times when I jump the dress does fly. I am not conscious about it,” she says, adding, “A few people [sportspersons] focus on whether it is flying, this can distract your game and performance. This is something you need to take care of, especially when it comes to your dress or shoes.”
Known for her on-court composure, she has faced opponents who have expressed their agitation on the court. Calling it a strategy, Sindhu says, “You will find a lot of people [opponents] who will try and play with your mind. It is a kind of strategy — they shout very loudly, serve the shuttle very late, these are usually mind games and in situations like that you need to be calm, play your game and be focussed.”
And what keeps her focussed? Sindhu lives by the motto, ‘Go on the court, enjoy your match and give your best’. “This is going to be a good and a tough year. There is the qualification for the Olympics, before that there are a couple of tournaments like the All-India Championship. So I want to keep myself fit. I want to give my best and win some tournaments,” Sindhu adds.
She has faced defeat multiple times, yet come out strong. So, how important is winning? “When you play any sport, you need to keep in mind that it’s not about winning or losing. You win some, you lose some, that is how life is. I learned a lot more from my mistakes. If you think losing is the end, then nothing can help you. If you think there is a lot and it is a new beginning for you, you will move forward,” she says.
A champion in the true sense, Sindhu wants schools to make sports compulsory. “Any sport should be made compulsory [in a school]. Not because children have to become champions, but I feel exercise is very important for everyone. It’s not always about studies, they also need to have a clear and healthy mind,” she says.
Don’t wear something because it is trendy, but wear it because it suits you. PV SINDHU
BADMINTON PLAYER