PV Sindhu unplugged: Trolling, friends in badminton, and dealing with ‘tough’ coach P. Gopichand

PV Sindhu is back in Hyderabad after playing two tournaments in Asia, in both of which she met her nemesis - the tenacious Nozomi Okuhara. In the Korea Open Superseries, Sindhu came out on top and won the title. Okuhara, however, returned the favour the following week by beating Sindhu in the Japan Open.

Sindhu was doing her stretching at the end of another satisfyingly arduous day at the Gopichand Academy, after which she spoke to ET Panache via phone. The 22-year-old sounded like a 22-year-old, often breaking out into giggles as she spoke about her friends, her love for shopping and food.

Excerpts from the interview:

It's been a see-saw month for you - a title win in Korea and then crashing out of the Japan Open. How do you react to wins and losses?

After Korea, playing in Japan and losing in the second round - well, I played but I did not give my best. I could have won the first game but I made mistakes and just lost it. The second game, it was easy for [Nozomi] Okuhara to win. Ups and downs are always there. It does not mean that if I lose, it is over.

A Padma Bhushan recommendation and No 2 in the world badminton rankings. What do these mean to you?

Both are motivation and keep me going. I am very happy that my name is nominated for the Padma Bhushan.

P Gopichand is known to be a tough coach, which you also expressed in your teacher's day video. How do you manage to stay away from your phone and keep up to the demands of your coach?

If you have to gain something, you need to sacrifice something. I did not take it as a burden. I said to myself that whatever he says is for my own good. As a coach he has to be tough.


Sindhu with coach ​Pullela Gopichand. (Image: BCCL)

What is your equation with your fellow badminton players? Do you hang out together? What do you do to let your hair down?

We [the Indian players] are all very friendly. We play together almost every day. There are many friends on the international circuit also. Like, among the Chinese - Wang Yihan and Wang Xin.

Also Carolina [Marin]. We may be foes across the net, but we tend to get along. That healthy competition has to be there but off-court, we are friends.


From R to L: Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu and Srikanth Kidambi during a felicitation function. (Image: BCCL)

Is there a treat you allow yourself after a victory, which otherwise you wouldn't?

When I am in Hyderabad, I eat biryani. I eat ice-cream also. Once in a while it is fine, not all the time. I like shopping so I do a bit of that as well - buying the things that I like - clothes, handbags or shoes and jewellery.

You were criticised on social media for dedicating your win in Korea to PM Narendra Modi. How do you deal with social media trolling?

I try to not let that affect me. I do not take comments made on social media personally. I respect the space but I do not let it get to me.

Sometimes, the way things are said is hurtful. The personal attacks are painful too. But I guess it happens. As a public personality, some people love you while others do not.

Your parents were volleyball players. How did having parents who were into sport help you become a better sportsperson?

My parents have been my support system throughout my career.

Whatever I am today is because of them. As sportspersons themselves, they were better able to understand what I was going through on my good as well as bad days. Because of a support system like they have been, I have been able to get this far.