PV Sindhu: Longevity unlocked after career revival
PV Sindhu has defined Indian badminton for over a decade, competing with unmatched determination and flair.
The 30-year-old Hyderabad native’s career, spanning from the late 2000s through the 2020s, is a story of early promise, global dominance, setbacks, and stunning revivals.
Sindhu’s personal life has also been a subject of admiration, particularly her marriage, which grounded her during the intense highs and lows of pro sports.
The 2025 BWF World Championships once again placed Sindhu, now in her thirties, in the spotlight, proving her longevity at the highest level of the sport.
Despite the emergence of new talents, Sindhu’s presence has kept her among the top tier of women’s badminton.
PV Sindhu’s key career snapshots
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pusarla Venkata Sindhu |
| Born | July 5, 1995 |
| Birth Place | Hyderabad, Andhra, Pradesh, India |
| Height | 1.79 meters (5-foot-10) |
| Handedness | Right-Handed |
| Signature Strengths | Unique playing style, which blends raw power with graceful movement |
| Coaches | Anup Sridhar Lee Hyun-il |
| Highest Ranking | 2 (April 1, 2017) |
| Current Ranking | 15 (August 2025) |
PV Sindhu’s early life and how her career took off
Pusarla Venkata Sindhu, more known as P.V. Sindhu, was born on July 5, 1995, in Hyderabad, India.
She was born into a Telugu family, with P.V. Ramana and P. Vijaya as her parents, both from the state of Andhra Pradesh.
The 5-foot-10 shuttler started training at the Pullela Gopichand Academy at age eight, setting an early foundation for her career.
She got engaged to businessman Venkata Datta Sai in early December 2024 and married him on December 22, 2024, while continuing her professional career.
Sindhu’s husband’s support has been vital to her resilience amid the injuries and setbacks she has faced during her career.
Rise to prominence
P.V. Sindhu’s breakthrough came in the early 2010s, when she began beating higher-ranked opponents in the international circuit.
By 2013, she became the first Indian woman to win a medal at the World Championships, instantly placing her on the global map.
The defining moment of her rising career came at the 2016 Rio Olympics, when she claimed an Olympic silver and a bronze in the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Her rise to prominence was characterized by relentless training, sharp focus, and her ability to shine on the bigger platforms.
Even with younger rivals like An Se-young and Ratchanok Intanon, Sindhu has remained a prominent figure in women’s badminton.
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Sindhu’s signature style and strengths
What sets Sindhu apart is her distinctive playing style, which seamlessly blends raw power with elegant movement.
At 5-foot-10, her reach gives her a natural advantage, allowing her to dominate rallies with smashes and steep drop shots.
Sindhu’s ability to dictate pace from the baseline, combined with quick reflexes at the net, makes her a versatile player.
Another of her defining strengths is her mental toughness – Sindhu has often turned matches around under pressure.
Her all-around game and big-match temperament have ensured that she consistently delivers in the most crucial moments.
Coaches and support team
Behind every champion is a strong support team, and Sindhu has benefited from some of the finest coaching India has to offer.
Her early training under Pullela Gopichand laid the technical and tactical foundation of her career.
Over the years, she has worked with international coaches, including Lee Hyun-il, who refined her defensive resilience.
Sindhu continues to work with both coaches, Anup Sridhar and Lee, as well as fitness trainers, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and mental conditioning experts.
The evolving support team has enabled Sindhu to extend her career at the top level, thereby sustaining her longevity.
P.V. Sindhu’s career milestones and major titles
P.V. Sindhu’s highest and current ranking
At her peak, P.V. Sindhu was ranked as world No.2 on April 1, 2017, as he had a deep run in tournaments against the best in the world.
Her rankings have fluctuated since in recent years, particularly due to the arrival of younger shuttlers from China, South Korea, and Japan.
By mid-2025, Sindhu was no longer in the top five but remained within the top 20.
Sindhu’s enduring presence in elite competitions reflects not just numbers but her legacy as one of badminton’s most feared competitors.
Her revival in the 2025 BWF World Championships is a reminder that rankings can dip, but greatness endures.
Injury history and comebacks
No long sporting career is without setbacks, and Sindhu had her share.
Injuries to her ankle, back, and knees have tested her resilience, forcing her to miss several major tournaments.
The road to recovery has often been difficult, but Sindhu has consistently bounced back stronger, using setbacks as fuel for her comebacks.
These injury phases also revealed her mental strength, as she stayed motivated during long layoffs and proved her critics wrong time and again.
Her ability to overcome physical challenges is one of the key factors contributing to her longevity.
Sindhu’s 2025 BWF World Championships campaign at a glance
- First round (Round-of-64): beat Kalonyana Nalbantova (Bulgaria), 23-21, 21-6. August 26, 2025
- Second round (Round-of-32): beat Letshanaa Karupathevan (Malaysia), 21-19, 21-15. August 27, 2025
- Third round (Round-of-16): beat Wang Zhiyi (China), 21-19, 21-15. August 28, 2025
- Quarterfinals: lost to Putri Kusuma Wardani, 14-21, 21-13, 16-21. August 29, 2025
Sindhu revival on a high at 2025 BWF World Championships
The 2025 BWF World Championships in Paris became the perfect stage for P.V. Sindhu’s career revival.
She started her campaign with a 23-21, 21-6 win over Kalonyana Nalbantova of Bulgaria on August 26, 2025.
A day later, Sindhu followed that up with a 21-19, 21-15 decision over Malaysia’s Letshanaa Karupathevan.
Sindhu made a breakthrough on August 28, 2025, when she upset world No.2 Wang Zhi Yi of China, 21-19, 21-15.
However, her bid for a sixth medal at the Worlds fell short after Sindhu lost to Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani, 14-21, 21-13, 16-21, in the quarterfinals on August 29, 2025.
One last ride for Sindhu at the 2028 LA Olympics?
As Sindhu moves into the twilight years of her career, the big question is whether she can sustain her momentum until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
At 33 years old at that time, she would be one of the most experienced players on the BWF women’s tour.
The idea of a “one last ride” fits perfectly into her story of longevity and revival.
Sindhu’s 2025 revival has opened new doors, reigniting the belief that she could add one more medal to her illustrious Olympic journey.
Whether she chooses to retire before or after the LA Olympics, the prospect of seeing Sindhu in one final Olympic campaign should excite badminton fans worldwide.
Sindhu’s Awards and Recognition
National
- Arjuna Award (2013)
- Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award of India (2015)
- Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, the highest sporting honour of India (2016)
- Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award of India (2020)
Others
- CNN-IBN Indian of the Year (Sports) 2013
- FICCI Breakthrough Sportsperson of the Year 2014
- NDTV Indian of the Year (Sports) 2014
- BWF Most Improved Player of the Year 2016
- Indian Sports Honours Sportswoman of the Year 2017
- Forbes 30 Under 30: Entertainment & Sports 2018
- TV9 Nava Nakshatra Sanmanam 2019
- Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) Sportsperson of the Year 2019
- BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2020
- Champions of Change (Telangana) 2021
- NDTV True Legend: Future of Young India (Sports) 2022
PV Sindhu’s legacy fulfilled
P.V. Sindhu’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless pursuit of greatness.
From her early days in Hyderabad to Olympic podiums, world titles, and her 2025 career revival, she has embodied the spirit of longevity.
Sindhu’s upset win over Wang Zhi Yi at the 2025 BWF World Championships not only marked a turning point in her career but also highlighted her ability to stay relevant in the fast-evolving badminton landscape.
Sindhu’s legacy extends beyond her medals – it lies in the inspiration she provides to athletes pursuing long careers, women balancing sport and personal life, and fans who love a comeback story.
With the 2028 LA Olympics on the horizon, P.V. Sindhu’s journey is proof that true champions never fade – they evolve.
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