'Importance of finding...': Virat Kohli’s one piece of advice helped PV Sindhu end her longest title drought and win a BWF Super 750 title in Japan Open

When PV Sindhu lifted the Japan Open trophy, it marked much more than a career milestone. The victory ended a challenging phase for one of India's greatest badminton players and came after a period filled with injuries, setbacks and self-doubt. Behind the scenes, Sindhu revealed that a conversation with former India cricket captain Virat Kohli played an important role in helping her regain perspective and reconnect with her purpose.

The 31-year-old shuttler won her maiden BWF Super 750 title at the Japan Open after defeating three-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan in straight games in the women's singles final in Tokyo on Sunday. The triumph marked Sindhu's biggest title since her historic BWF World Championships victory in 2019. Before this, her recent titles included the 2022 Singapore Open Super 500 and the 2024 Syed Modi International Super 300.

With the Japan Open win, Sindhu became the first Indian shuttler to claim the prestigious title and ended a title drought of more than two years.

The difficult phase before the comeback

Sindhu's journey to the Japan Open crown was far from easy. The previous two years were among the toughest periods of her career. A stress fracture interrupted her progress, while her Paris Olympics campaign ended with an early exit.

Repeated injuries and rehabilitation challenges made her comeback difficult. With every setback, the pressure surrounding one of India's most celebrated athletes continued to grow. However, Sindhu found a new perspective during a conversation with Virat Kohli, who himself has experienced the pressure of performing at the highest level.

Virat Kohli's advice that changed Sindhu's mindset

According to Rediff, Sindhu and her husband Venkata Datta Sai spent hours speaking with Kohli in Bengaluru.
Reflecting on the conversation, Sindhu said she would always be grateful that Kohli was there when she needed guidance. She shared that the details of their discussion would remain private, but the words stayed with both her and Datta. Sindhu said some conversations can change the way a person sees things, and this was one such moment.

"The biggest thing I took away was the importance of finding your joy again," Sindhu said. She explained that she now understands why she wakes up for her 5:30 am training sessions every day.

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Sindhu said she now understands the real reason she wakes up for her 5:30 am training sessions every day. She added that her motivation is not driven by trophies or victories but by something much deeper.

Sindhu thanks Kohli for his support

After her Japan Open victory, Sindhu expressed gratitude towards Kohli for always offering the right advice and encouragement. She described him as an example of what a true senior in Indian sport should be, calling him generous, grounded, inspiring and someone who always lifts others. "Never back down, PV," was the advice Sindhu recalled receiving from Kohli.

She said the support and guidance helped her look beyond trophies and rediscover the happiness that drives her journey. The Japan Open title became a reminder that success is not only about winning medals but also about finding purpose, enjoying the process and continuing to push forward despite challenges.