P.V. Sindhu wins Hylo Open on Nov 1, claims second title in four months and returns to world No. 6
P.V. Sindhu defeated her opponents to win the Hylo Open on Sunday, November 1, securing her second title in four months and moving back to world No. 6, re-entering the top 10 for the first time since 2023.
The 31-year-old ended a prolonged wait for silverware; before the Japan Open in July her most recent title had been the 2024 Syed Modi International. Sindhu described the phase as a rebuilding process rather than a return to a previous version of herself.
Sindhu credited a restructured support group for her recent results and acknowledged the day-to-day role they play. “I’ve had a new team this year and we’ve been working on every aspect. I’m very grateful to them because there are days when 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,” she said in a media interaction facilitated by the Badminton Association of India.
She stressed managing workload and recovery as central to competing at a high level at her age. “Yes, it’s important to take care of your body, but at the same time, it’s also important to smartly make sure you make the right decisions. You’re not 20 anymore, and you can’t keep playing tournaments back-to-back. You need to make sure whatever tournaments you play, you need to give your 100%. To do that, you have to make sure you are physically and mentally at your best. You need to understand how to take care of your body. You need to know if your body is not at 100%, take a step back, recover and come back stronger,” she said.
Sindhu identified the planned switch to a 15-point scoring format next year as an additional adjustment for players to prepare for. “We have been playing 21 for so many years now. It is important that we make sure we train and practise that scoring system as well. In 21 points, there was still time. Even if five points had gone, people could come back. But now, once those five or six points go, half the game is over. It is important that you are alert from the beginning. You cannot give away easy points because by the time you realise it, half the game is over. You have to be on your feet every single time,” she said.
On her ambitions, Sindhu said she sees room to progress and is in a good place mentally and physically. “There is a lot more space, a lot more room to improve and I’m getting there. I’m in a good space mentally and physically.” She also acknowledged emerging Indian women players, praising Ashmita Chaliha, Anmol Kharb, Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma for making their mark internationally.
Sindhu singled out personal support at home for its role in recent tournaments, highlighting her husband Venkata Datta Sai’s involvement. “I’m lucky in a way, where my parents are very supportive, and it’s an added thing that now my husband has 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. At the Australia Open this year, he sat 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,” she said.
She has secured a place in the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals.
