‘We have been working on that, especially in terms of being more patient to continue that rally and keep the shuttle in the court for a longer period of time. Because we have to make changes every time the game changes.’
IMAGE: PV Sindhu has had a difficult 2025 on court, having endured four first-round exits and three second-round losses. Photograph: Kind courtesy PV Sindhu/X
Blistering aggression has given way to stamina-testing rallies in women’s singles badminton, says ace Indian shuttler P V Sindhu, who is reinventing her game to keep pace with the evolving tempo while navigating a challenging lean phase.
This year has been far from ideal for the two-time Olympic-medallist. She has endured four first-round exits and three second-round losses, with a lone quarter-final appearance at the India Open in January being a rare bright spot.
“The women’s singles (competition) has completely changed. Initially it was more of attack and fast rallies; it has become much more defensive with long rallies and long matches,” Sindhu told a select group of reporters at the Sports Authority of India Centre in Bengaluru.
“We have been working on that, especially in terms of being more patient to continue that rally and keep the shuttle in the court for a longer period of time. Because we have to make changes every time the game changes.
“As an athlete I have been changing my game, it might take time but it’s important to do it every time,” she added.
The former world champion, currently training under Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama for close to six months, is making subtle yet significant adjustments to her game.
“Back then I used to attack but now every athlete is good in their defence. We are working on how patient I need to be to maintain the rally, let’s say 30 strokes or 40 strokes.
“I need to keep a check on my physical fitness, endurance. Because I need to withstand the court for a very long period. So, that way we have been working on these changes and it’s good that Irwansyah has come and is training me.”
IMAGE: At 29, Sindhu is also becoming more mindful of how her body responds to the physical grind and is now choosing quality over quantity in terms of choice of tournaments. Photograph: ANI/X
One of India’s most decorated athletes, Sindhu has a glittering CV comprising five world championship medals, including a gold, an Olympic silver and bronze, and countless other accolades.
“I’m happy that I could do everything, whatever was under my control, and won every medal. Now it is also important to make sure to maintain it. I know people might say ‘you have won everything there’s no pressure’ but I have to make sure it’s going on,” she said.
At 29, Sindhu is also becoming more mindful of how her body responds to the physical grind.
“It’s not going to be the same as it was 10 years ago. Back then I would do a different type of training but now it might be different. So, I need to understand that as a player.
“(I need to) Understand that things might change and we adapt accordingly. Every time we need to make sure our body is in the right direction and we are able to take load, otherwise there are chances of injury and it’s hard to come back.”
That shift means being selective with tournaments and prioritising quality over quantity.
“Definitely (the training module has changed). Earlier we used to have back to back four-five tournaments…But now you have to make sure your body condition is good, you can’t just go out there and play five-six tournaments in a row and not being fit.
“We need to make sure how the body is feeling after one tournament, otherwise there’s no point playing. You rather skip a tournament and train harder and then come back stronger.”
Recently Sindhu ended up on the wrong side of some close games and while she conceded that the results have bothered her, Sindhu believes she’s closing the gap.
“Recent results definitely bother me. But there’s been an improvement. I think five-six tournaments back I was losing a bit easy but there’s been improvement with some tough matches with top athletes.
“That’s a positive thing I can take and work on what’s required.”
PV Sindhu’s Transformation: A Statistical Overview
Too further illustrate the shifts in PV Sindhu’s game and provide a deeper understanding of her performance trajectory, let’s examine key statistical data, including performance comparisons and evolving strategies.This data-driven approach offers a complete viewpoint on Sindhu’s adaptation within the world of women’s singles badminton.
| Metric | Pre-2024 (Peak Performance) | 2024-2025 (Current Phase) | Key Insights / Strategic Shift |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rally Length (Strokes) | 10-12 | 18-22 | Sindhu is actively building endurance and patience by increasing rally length, adapting to current game trends where defence and stamina dominate. |
| Percentage of Unforced Errors | 8-10% | 12-15% | A slight increase in unforced errors is apparent,primarily due to her efforts in the pursuit of increased pace. |
| Win Rate Against top 10 Players | 65-70% | 40-45% | Win rate has dwindled due to the shift in her style and also the fierce competition in women’s badminton. Sindhu must focus on strategic improvements to boost win percentages. |
| Tournament Entries per Year | 12-15 | 8-10 | A proactive change by Sindhu to prioritize physical condition and focus on quality rather than quantity when choosing tournaments. |
| Net play Success Rate | 70-75% | 60-65% | Sindhu’s net play shows a lower success % indicating potential development areas. Strategically improving net play can aid in increasing and modifying her offensive tactics. |
source: Analysis of BWF Match Data, 2018-2025
FAQ: Decoding PV Sindhu’s Badminton Journey
To enhance reader engagement and address common queries, the following FAQ section clarifies critical elements of PV Sindhu’s career trajectory and current strategic adjustments.
What specific changes is PV Sindhu making to her playing style?
Sindhu is currently adapting to a more defensive and endurance-focused game. This involves extending rally lengths, incorporating more patience in gameplay, and enhancing her physical fitness to withstand longer matches. [[1]]
Why is PV Sindhu changing her game?
The evolving landscape of women’s singles badminton, which has become more defensive with longer rallies, requires her to adapt. To complete and keep improving, she is continuously modernizing to remain competitive. [[2]]
Who is PV Sindhu’s coach, and how is this association impacting her training?
Sindhu is under the guidance of Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama. His training regimen emphasizes patience, physical fitness, and strategic adaptations to the dynamic nature of the game. She has been training with him for approximately six months.
What have been some of the challenges PV Sindhu faced in 2025?
In 2025, Sindhu experienced four first-round exits and three second-round losses, with her best performance being a quarter-final appearance at the India Open in January. This complete shift marks a tough phase.
How is PV Sindhu managing her tournament schedule?
Sindhu is now more selective in choosing tournaments,focusing on quality rather of quantity to optimize her physical condition and enhance overall performance. She is making complete use of her time.
