‘Would like to see myself as world no. 1’
Set to spearhead India’s campaign in the upcoming Sudirman Cup world mixed team badminton championships slated in Australia, ace shuttler P.V. Sindhu is confident of a good show by the team.
“I think we have a good chance, it’s a mixed team event so girls and boys both have to perform well. We are playing Indonesia and Denmark, so I hope we can win,” Sindhu was quoted as saying.
Ninth-ranked India are in Group 1D with Denmark and Indonesia in the preliminary stage of the competition, scheduled from May 21 to 28. The team finished ninth in the previous edition of the championships.
India will bank on Rio Olympic Games silver medallist Sindhu in the event, from which another top woman shuttler Saina Nehwal has pulled out due to family reasons.
“Yes, Saina isn’t playing, but when it comes to one singles and doubles only one player is required, so that shouldn’t be any issue,” said the world no. 4 shuttler.
Sindhu has slipped from the world no. 2 ranking she achieved after winning the Indian Open, and is eager to move back up the ladder.
“Currently I’m fourth and I expect to see myself in top three by the end of the year. But I have already been in top two so I would definitely like to see myself as world number one, but before that I think you have to play well and if you do that ranking will automatically come,” she said.
On current no. 1 Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese-Taipei whom she beat at Rio, Sindhu said, “We haven’t played much recently. The last time was in Rio and the All England. She is winning a lot of matches and doing well for herself. But when it comes to me playing against her, I feel it’s going to be a good match.”
Asked about the high points for her after winning the silver in Rio, the lanky shuttler said, “Winning China Open and Indian Open. I had always wanted to win a Super Series (event) and by fulfilling that I feel very happy and it gives me a lot of confidence.
“After the Olympics I’ve seen a lot of change, kids picking up badminton and also a lot of academies have come up. So, it’s a good sign and badminton as a sport is getting much more encouragement,” she said.