P.V. Sindhu's stellar return to winning form with new support team and husband's backing

According to a Capital Kranti report, the year 2026 has emerged in a whole new avatar for P.V. Sindhu. After struggling to win as a player for three long years, she has made headlines again by winning two titles and clawing her way back into the top 10 of the world rankings.

In an interaction with the media, Sindhu stated that this year I have a new team and we are working on every aspect. I am very grateful to my entire team because there are days when you are not in the best shape and are upset, but as a team they cheer you up every time, sort things out and get the job done.

On Sunday, the 31-year-old player won the Hylo Open 2026 title, which is her second title since her Japan Open victory in July. Before this year, Sindhu last won a title at the Syed Modi International tournament in 2024. This success has propelled her to 6th place in the BWF world rankings, which is her first stint in the top 10 since 2023.

For Sindhu, age is just a number, but it is not ignored either. Just a week before her Hylo Open victory, she played the French Open final against world number 1 An Se-young, following which she decided to pull out of the ongoing Korea Open. She stated that you know you are not 20 anymore and cannot keep playing tournaments continuously. You also need to ensure that whichever tournament you play, you give your 100 percent contribution to it.

She emphasized that her recovery after playing continuous tournaments does not come from experience alone but is a decision made after discussing with the team. For Sindhu, regaining the level of dominance she once had is not a distant dream, but a reality she is building brick by brick. Expressing her feelings, she said that many players are playing in their 30s, so why not? You climb back to the top; I am getting there and I feel like I am right there.

Her team alone is not responsible for her performance. Her husband, Venkata Datta Sai, has been a strong pillar of support for the shuttler—attending international tournaments and playing a vital role in building the entire team. Sindhu shared that I am lucky in a way that my parents are very supportive and now my husband has joined them. He also travels to some tournaments, understands the sport and knows what you are feeling in those moments when you are really at your lowest. At this year's Australia Open, he took up the coach's seat and I feel like it is always great to get some inputs when people observe and watch your match from the outside.

Growing up has helped her see things differently. Victories may be sweeter for Sindhu, but she no longer gets frustrated or angry when things go wrong. She won her first BWF title during the 2016 China Open, where she defeated China's Sun Yu. A decade later, her hunger for titles remains high. She clarified that I am happy that I am able to compete with the (old) generation and now with this generation too.

On the day she qualified for her first BWF World Tour Finals since 2022, Sindhu will hope that her optimism and recent form will take her back to the top during the final phase of the season.