Paris: Indian badminton ace P V Sindhu on Friday said she will take a short break following her pre-quarterfinal exit from the Olympic Games as she comes to terms with “one of the hardest” defeats of her career but promised to continue after “carefully” evaluating her journey ahead.
Sindhu, who won a silver in the 2016 Rio Games and a bronze in the 2020 Tokyo edition, bowed out of the ongoing Games following a straight-game loss to China’s world number nine He Bingjiao.
“Regarding my future, I want to be clear: I will continue, albeit after a small break. My body, and more importantly, my mind need it. However, I plan to carefully evaluate the journey ahead, finding more joy in playing the sport I love so very much,” Sindhu posted on X.
Former world champion Sindhu won silver medal on her Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Five years later, she beat He in the bronze-medal match in Tokyo to become the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals.
However, He got her revenge as she defeated Sindhu 21-19, 21-14 in Paris.
“This loss is one of the hardest of my career. It will take time to accept, but as life moves forward, I know I will come to terms with it,” said 29-year-old Sindhu in her post.
“The journey to Paris 2024 was a battle, marked by two years of injuries and long periods away from the game. Despite these challenges, standing here and representing my wonderful country at a third Olympics makes me feel truly blessed.”
On taking a break, Sindhu said, “My body, and more importantly, my mind need it. However, I plan to carefully evaluate the journey ahead, finding more joy in playing the sport I love so very much.”
