Jwala Gutta says why PV Sindhu won’t have it easy at Tokyo Olympics
Inadequate match practice and the favourite tag will add pressure on the defending world champion, feels Gutta.
Rio 2016 silver medallist PV Sindhu will be under massive pressure at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics but former Indian badminton star Jwala Gutta is hopeful the world champion will deliver.
“I hope that she gets a medal. There is definitely going to be more pressure than last time on Sindhu,” Jwala Gutta said about her good friend during a discussion on interactive audio platform ‘Bakstage’.
“In Rio, the circumstances were completely different for Sindhu, now the situation has completely changed, the focus is more on her and it depends how she takes this pressure. Everybody knows her game, everybody has watched her.”
One other factor that could affect PV Sindhu’s chances is the lack of enough tournaments heading into Tokyo 2020.
The reigning world champion last played in the All England Championships in March earlier this year, where she fell in the semi-finals. Since then, three tournaments - the India Open, the Singapore Open and the Malaysia Open - have all been either postponed or cancelled due to COVID-related concerns.
“Our players didn't get enough match practice and that is a big disadvantage,” reckoned two-time Olympian Jwala Gutta.
“I hope Sindhu is sitting back and watching her matches with big players against whom she has won and lost. If I were Sindhu I would work on my strategy and mental strength right now.”
PV Sindhu will be India’s only female representative in badminton at the Tokyo Olympics and enters the event as one of the favourites.
Sindhu’s chances have seemingly got a boost after reigning Olympic champion Carolina Marin withdrew due to injury.
Joining PV Sindhu in Tokyo will be Olympic debutants B Sai Praneeth (men’s singles) and the duo of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy (men’s doubles). Jwala Gutta is optimistic about their chances.
“Sai Praneeth has started to believe in himself after the world championships bronze (in 2019),” Jwala pointed out.
“Chirag and Satwik are juniors and have nothing to lose. They should go all out and give their everything without any fear to take advantage of the opportunity,” added Jwala, who was a doubles specialist in her heyday.