PV Sindhu Reflects on World Championships Defeat and Eyes Asian Games

PV Sindhu faced a tough defeat in the BWF World Championships, losing to China's Wang Zhi Yi. Reflecting on her performance, she emphasized the need for patience and focus during matches. Despite the disappointment, Sindhu is determined to learn from this experience and is now setting her sights on the upcoming Asian Games. Her exit also concluded India's singles campaign at the championships. Read on to discover her insights and future aspirations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 20, 2026, 23:20 IST

Opponent's Strategy and the Importance of Patience

After her loss in the pre-quarterfinals of the BWF World Championships in women's singles, Indian badminton star PV Sindhu expressed that the long breaks taken by her opponent, China's Wang Zhi Yi, might be a deliberate tactic. She acknowledged the need for greater patience during the match.

"That’s their strategy. I was focused, but every point counts. Whether she takes a break or is injured, it could be part of her game style. I need to concentrate on each point," Sindhu remarked following her defeat.

A Challenging Match

Sindhu's journey in the tournament concluded in the Round of 16, where she faced World No. 2 Wang, losing with scores of 11-21, 21-15, 17-21 in a match that lasted 88 minutes at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

During the final game, Wang required medical assistance and seemed to struggle with cramps but managed to regain her composure to secure the victory and move on to the quarterfinals.

Sindhu believed she had a chance to win, especially when the score was tied at 17-17 in the final game. "I felt I should have capitalized on that moment. There were long rallies, and it was a competitive match. I should have been more patient," she reflected.

Learning from the Experience and Looking Ahead

Despite the disappointment, Sindhu is determined to learn from this experience and come back stronger. "It hurts to lose after putting in so much effort, but that’s part of the game. I believe this will make me stronger and help me learn from my mistakes. What's done is done, and now I need to focus on what’s next," she stated.

Her attention will now shift to the upcoming Asian Games, which she considers a significant event. "The Asian Games are the next big challenge, so I need to relax and prepare for that," she added.

Sindhu's exit also marked the end of India's singles campaign at the World Championships, as earlier on the same day, Ayush Shetty was defeated by Indonesia's Alwi Farhan with scores of 19-21, 11-21 in the men's singles Round of 16.