New support team with same fiery passion: How PV Sindhu reclaimed her title-winning form

A new team, unwavering support, and a fiery passion have given P.V. Sindhu the spark to climb up the ranks at 31.

Updated : Nov 04, 2026 15:07 IST , CHENNAI - 4 MINS READ

P.V. Sindhu has won two titles and returned to the top 10 world rankings this year. | Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA

2026 showed P.V. Sindhu in a new light. After three long years where the shuttler struggled to post wins, she is back to making headlines and pulling herself back into the top 10 after winning two titles.

“I’ve had a new team this year and we’ve been working on every aspect. I’m very grateful to my whole team because I think you know there are days where you’re absolutely not at your best and you’re sad, but I think as a team they pump you up every single time, get things together and make things work,” said Sindhu in a media interaction.

On Sunday, the 31-year-old clinched the Hylo Open 2026 title, making it her second one after her Japan Open win in July. Before this year, the last time Sindhu won a title was at the Syed Modi International Tournament in 2024.

Her success has also pushed her up the BWF World Rankings to sixth, her first time in the top 10 since 2023.

READ | Sindhu qualifies for 2026 BWF World Tour Finals

31, but only onwards

Age is just a number for Sindhu, but in no way is it disregarded. She played in the French Open final against World No. 1 An Se-young just one week before her Hylo Open victory, following which, she decided to pull out from the ongoing Korea Open.

“You know that you’re not 20 anymore and you can’t keep playing tournaments back-to-back. You also need to make sure whatever tournaments you play, you give your 100%,” she stated.

She highlights that her recovery after playing consecutive tournaments is not just fuelled by experience but rather comes from a decision after consulations with her team.

For Sindhu, achieving the same level of dominance she once had is not a far fetched dream – it is a reality she is building brick by brick.

“A lot of athletes are playing in their 30s, so why not? You get back there at the top again; I am getting there and I (feel I) am there,” she expressed.

Her team is not the only one she credits for her performance. Her husband, Venkata Datta Sai, has been a rock for the shuttler – showing up for international tournaments and was instrumental in putting together the whole team.

“I’m lucky in a way where my parents are very supportive and it’s an added thing where now my husband also got into this. He also travels for some of the tournaments, understands sports and what you’re going through in those moments where you’re really at your lowest. In (this year’s) Australia Open, he did sit as a coach and I think it’s always nice to know some of the inputs when people observe and see your match (from the outside).”

Growing older has helped her perceive things differently - the wins might be sweeter for Sindhu but she is no longer frustrated or annoyed when things take a wrong turn.

She won her first BWF title during the 2016 China Open, where she defeated China’s Sun Yu. A decade later, her thirst for titles remains high. “I’m happy that I’m able to compete with the (older) generation and also now with this generation,” she explained.

On the day she qualified for her first BWF World Tour Finals since 2022, Sindhu would hope that her optimism and recent form might carry her to the top again during the season ender.

Published on Nov 04, 2026

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