India Open 2026: PV Sindhu Eyes Long Season Ahead, Balancing Comeback and World Championships Dream

New Delhi, Jan 12: As the 2026 badminton season gathers momentum, former world champion and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is approaching the year with a blend of caution, clarity and quiet ambition.

Speaking ahead of the India Open 2026, Sindhu made it clear that her focus is not limited to short-term results, but on navigating a long and demanding season that is lined up with the BWF World Championships on home soil in August, followed by the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

Sindhu's season began only recently after she spent nearly three months away from competition due to a foot injury suffered in October. Rather than pushing for an early return, she chose to prioritise complete recovery.

"I made sure that I would be completely injury-free

and back to 100 per cent, and that's when I would get on court," she said, explaining that competing without confidence would have risked further setbacks.

Her comeback at the Malaysia Open 2026, where she reached the semifinals, served as a timely reassurance. Sindhu revealed she only resumed full training around mid-December, which forced her to skip the Syed Modi International. "Going to Malaysia, I just thought, okay, it's one match at a time," she said, adding that the body responded well and gave her belief that she was on the right track.

With the BWF World Championships scheduled at the same venue as the India Open, Sindhu acknowledged the added significance of playing in New Delhi early in the year. While home conditions bring expectations, she believes familiarity can be an advantage. "It feels special when you're playing at your home ground," she said, noting that players are already getting exposure to the courts they will return to later in the season.

Sindhu, however, is wary of looking too far ahead. She stressed that rankings and targets are not her immediate concern. "If you do well, automatically the ranking comes up," she said, pointing out that confidence and rhythm matter more than numbers. With a packed calendar that also includes the Asian Games, she emphasised the importance of choosing tournaments wisely and managing workload to stay fresh.

As she adapts her training under strength and conditioning coach Wayne Lombard, Sindhu's approach reflects a seasoned athlete who understands her body better than ever. Balancing recovery, competition and ambition, she enters 2026 not chasing urgency, but sustainability - determined to peak when it matters most.