Losing hurts, but it will get better: Sindhu

Things are not going well for PV Sindhu on the badminton court this year. A string of early losses in several tournaments has cast doubt whether the double Olympics medallist can retain her position as one of the top shuttlers in the world.

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Earlier this month, Sindhu lost against Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwang in the Round of 16 of the Indonesian Open. This was the third time this year that Sindhu lost in the Round of 16. In fact, she has made to the quarterfinal stage only once this year and that was at the India Open held in January. The losses are mounting and she is mindful but Sindhu insists things will get better.

"The recent results definitely bother me but there's been an improvement. I think five-six tournaments back I was losing a bit easily but there has been improvement with some tough matches with the top athletes. That is the positive I can take and work on. We are changing a few things and hopefully in China and Japan you will see it," Sindhu said.

The former world champion further said that her preparations for upcoming tournaments are going well.

"Fitness wise everything is going on well, training is going well. We have two more weeks before we go to Japan and China. We have a couple of weeks of break and so we can prepare well for the tournaments. We have had back-to-back tournaments and we have been continuously travelling. But it is important to make sure you are fit and a 100 per cent, physically and mentally," she said.

"I am happy that I could do everything, and win every medal. Now it is also important to make sure to maintain it. I know people might say 'you have won everything, there is no pressure' but I have to make sure I am there. It is not going to be the same as it was 10 years back,” she added.