Time away from court was tough, but didn't abandon practice : PV Sindhu

New Delhi: India's star shuttler and two time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu said on Monday that her time during the ankle injury was tough, but she did not abandon practice despite the pain.

Sindhu suffered a hairline fracture in her left ankle during the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 in August. Despite suffering the injury in the semifinal match, she went on to win the gold medal at the tournament, the fracture subsequently kept her off the court for about five months.

Talking to UNI about her time off the court, Sindhu said, "Obviously the injury was in my ankle, but the rest of the body was working fine so I was practicing standing strokes. Apart from that I was spending time with my family as well."

"I stayed at home for a few days. I had a hairline fracture and it was hurting a lot. Doctors had told me to rest for a few days after the scans. But after a few days I started standing strokes because I wasn't allowed to move," said Sindhu.

The former world champion returned to the court with Malaysia Open 2023, although her campaign was cut short in the first round itself by Rio Olympic's gold medalist Carolina Marin, who defeated the Indian by 21-12, 10-21, 21-15.

Sindhu, while addressing reporters a day before starting her campaign at the India Open 2023, recollected Malaysia Open 2023, "I was happy that I could play my best and I mean, it was three games so overall, I was satisfied with the game, coming back from injury is not an easy thing."

"After coming back, to get up there and play our best game, it takes a lot of time. I was happy that I could give my hundred percent. Winning and losing is part of life, but you need to be satisfied with what you've done and how you've played," said Sindhu.

Sindhu starts her Yonex Sunrise India Open 2023 campaign on Tuesday against Thailand's Supanida Katethong. Sindhu last won this tournament in 2017.

Sindhu sounded very enthusiastic about playing in the Indian Open "there are so many fond memories from this tournament. Playing at home is always exiting, it gives confidence as everybody is cheering for us, when we enter the court that cheering, the feeling is completely different it is hard to put in words. Last time due to the pandemic there were no crowds but I am sure there would be a lot of vocal suport this time. Really looking forward to this tournament as the first time it is going to be a 750 tournament."

She sounded confident regarding her fitness "fitness wise I am satisfied, of course it depends on the day"

She emphasised that she would take one match at a time "every round is hard as first round I will be playing against Supanida, she is not an easy player, played against her, lost to her in the Indian Open last year hope it would be the other way round this time."

The Indian ace will be be up against Supanida Katethong of Thailand in her women’s singles opening round match. Sindhu has a 3-1 win-loss record against the Thai. (UNI)