PV Sindhu Talked About the Future in Badminton
Star Indian badminton player PV Sindhu on Monday (October 9) has revealed that she is focusing on one year at a time and pondering about her next steps. The two-time Olympic medallist has revealed that body management and tournament selection will be a factor as she goes on in her career.
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Her comments come after her quarterfinal exit from the Asian Games 2026 where she was defeated by China’s Chen Yufei. Her statement sparked a debate on the duration of her career at the highest level. But no such formal announcement has been made by Sindhu to retire from the international stage in badminton.
‘What’s Next’ Is Now the Question
Ahead of the next edition of the event, Sindhu said, “I am not thinking too much about the future, just about what’s next. It (another Asian Games) depends on my body, if my body allows it I would take part.”
According to the Indian ace, her biggest target for next year is “getting the fitness right” and staying injury-free. She needs to pick and choose events, she said, because she “cannot just play everything”.
Asian Games Exit Adds to the Discussion
Sindhu’s remarks followed a gruelling campaign at the Asian Games. She had played three singles matches in the space of a day and a half before coming up against China’s Chen Yufei in the quarter-finals of the women’s singles. She later hit out at the tournament schedule, claiming there wasn’t enough time to rest between games.
She also questioned about the lack of a review system on the court where her quarterfinal was held. Sindhu said she felt some of the close line calls could have been reviewed if the camera system was there.
India’s badminton effort at the Asian Games has ended with a solitary medal as Sindhu and a few other Indians couldn’t make it through to the individual medal rounds.
Sindhu Stays Motivated to Keep Playing
While Sindhu talks about her future plans, the women’s shuttler makes it known that she still loves the game and her energy is not waning in her game despite the medals. “I love the game and I think that is enough to keep me going, no matter how many medals I have won,” she said.
Much has been made of her current career, but she still can play at the top level. In July 2026, after a poor phase that saw doubts about her ability and prospects, Sindhu captured the Japan Open – a marquee Super 750 – to put her back in the world top seven.
A Career Moving to a New Step
Sindhu had also accepted that she will have to change herself, as she grows older. “I’m playing for more than two decades now and I want to pass down everything I have gained to the budding shuttlers,” Sindhu told Hindustan Times earlier this year.
Her interest in badminton also led her to prepare a Centre of Badminton and Sports Excellence in Visakhapatnam.
At the moment, Sindhu’s comments seem to indicate an incremental rather than an immediate retirement. She is now taking care of her body and eyeing on participating in select tournaments while taking season-by-season calls in her career.
