New year means fresh resolve for PV Sindhu going into India Open

The former world champion and Olympic medallist is determined at 29 to achieve fresh goals

- Sandip Sikdar

After shooting a promotional video for India Open at a hotel here, PV Sindhu settled into a chair with a grin. The happiness was reminiscent of the days when the 29-year-old was starting out. After all, it is not just a New Year and new season for the former world champion, but also a new journey, having tied the knot last month.

Though her form wasn't anywhere near her peak level last year, Sindhu still managed to win her first title since the Commonwealth Games in August 2022 when she clinched the Syed Modi India International crown in Lucknow in December.

"It was very important to have that win. It gave me a big boost. It had been quite a while since I had won a title (28 months).

"I had been playing quarters, semis, finals. But that win gave me that confidence. It is always good to end the season with a win and have that confidence going forward," said the world No.14.

With a title behind her, Sindhu is eager to step on court at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex to get her season going, especially with a new coach in her corner. Indonesian Irwansyah Adi Pratama has been roped in to coach India's female singles shuttlers and the two-time Olympic medallist believes she can return to winning ways.