India's World No. 4 shuttler says pressure of performance does not affect her
PV Sindhu (left) and long distance runner Lalita Babar during an event at a Bandra Kurla Complex hotel yesterday. Pic/Suresh Karkera
Indian badminton has completely transformed, thanks to some tremendous performances from the likes of Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth in the last few years. From causing an occasional upset, the Indian shuttlers are now being perceived as title favourites and that is a monumental achievement. Sindhu, of course, is quite overwhelmed with the rising expectations and strong support she garners every time she steps on court.
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"I don't take any pressure of expectations, I really enjoy it. I am happy that after the (Rio) Olympics, people have started expecting more from me. "Expectations will always be high, but it is important to try and give your best performance always. Every time you compete, people would expect you to win which may not happen always, but you have to believe in yourself.
"It's good to be in the limelight, but it is not easy to handle it," Sindhu, who clinched a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, told mid-day on the sidelines of a Bridgestone India event yesterday. Indian shuttlers will be well followed at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast (Australia) in April. "Preparations for the CWG are on track, but before that we have the All-England Open. For me, it is important to go step by step. We have strong players and a strong team in the men's and women's categories. I am sure we will do well," Sindhu said.
Speaking about Badminton World Federation's (BWF) proposed change in scoring system, replacing the best-of-three 21-point game with best-of-five 11-point game, Sindhu said: "I prefer the current scoring system because in the 11-point game, if you lose six points then the game is virtually over. Whereas in the 21-point format, you can still make a comeback after losing five to six consecutive points."
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