India Open: Fit and focused PV Sindhu eyes World Championships, Asian Games 2026

Veteran shuttler PV Sindhu made an impressive return from injury at the Malaysia Open, reaching.

The semi-finals of the season’s first tournament and underlining her readiness for a demanding year ahead. The two-time Olympic medallist had been sidelined since October and chose a cautious rehabilitation route before resuming competition.

Speaking ahead of her opening match at the India Open Super 750, Sindhu said she was determined not to rush her comeback, keeping in mind a packed calendar that includes the World Championships in India in August and the Asian Games in Japan in September.

Sindhu revealed she had suffered a minor tear in her toe and opted for complete recovery rather than an early return. “In badminton, footwork is everything. You need to be quick on your toes, so it was important to address it properly before coming back,” Sindhu said on Monday.

“I wanted to make sure I was completely injury-free and back to 100 percent before returning to competition. Playing at 50 percent without confidence can risk things further.”

Her rehabilitation took her to the United States, where she worked with Wayne Lombard, a trainer she has relied on through previous Olympic cycles.

“We resumed training around two months ago, soon after the injury. The focus hasn’t been on one specific area but on overall body management and recovery. What worked five or 10 years ago doesn’t necessarily work now,” she said.

“There are days when recovery is more important than pushing through a gym session.”

Sindhu also spent time in Atlanta during her recovery, combining rehabilitation with family time.

“The break was productive. It wasn’t about complete rest but structured rehab with excellent trainers and physios.”

Sindhu began full training only in mid-December. A planned return at the Syed Modi International was shelved to avoid rushing, with her eventual comeback coming at the Malaysia Open Super 1000, where she lost in the semi-finals to China’s Wang Zhiyi.

“Malaysia was my first tournament back. I took it one match at a time, everything felt fine physically, and it turned out to be a good run,” she said.

Looking ahead, Sindhu said competing at the World Championships on home soil would be special, even if it came with pressure.

“There will be pressure, but it’s also a great feeling to play on home courts. The schedule this year is packed, so choosing tournaments wisely and taking care of the body will be crucial.”

Sindhu opens her India Open campaign against Vietnam’s Nguyen Thuy Linh on Wednesday, with the match scheduled around 2 pm IST. Live streaming of the tournament is available on the BWF YouTube channel.

India Open spotlight on home stars

India’s top shuttlers, including Sindhu and Lakshya Sen, will look to build on recent form when the USD 950,000 India Open Super 750 begins at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. Despite home advantage, Indian players have lifted the singles title only a handful of times in the past 15 years.

The draw presents early challenges, including an all-Indian men’s singles opener between Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty. Sindhu, the 2017 champion, arrives in Delhi with confidence after her Malaysia Open run.

India’s strongest medal hopes once again rest on men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. Winners in 2022, they have reached two finals in the last four editions and claimed a World Championships bronze last year. After a quarterfinal exit in Malaysia, the duo will be keen to bounce back in Delhi.

The tournament also offers exposure to India’s emerging doubles combinations, while the move to a larger venue—also set to host the World Championships in August—gives players a valuable opportunity to acclimatise.