PV Sindhu begins practice with an exclusive session at the Gopichand Academy | Badminton News – Times of India

PV Sindhu. (Getty Images)

HYDERABAD: After a gap of three-and-half months, world champion PV Sindhu resumed practice at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy on Friday. With the Telangana government permitting playgrounds and stadia, Sindhu started physical training with her strength trainer Srikanth Varma at the Suchitra Academy on August 5 and practice at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy on Friday.
She practiced under the supervision of chief coach Pullela Gopichand and Park Tae Sang. As the Korean coach was apprehensive about travelling in a cab, Sindhu gave a car to Park enabling him to travel to the stadium.
The Olympic silver medallist requested for a separate training session and would practice between 6.30 and 8.00 every day.
After her training session on Friday, Sindhu spoke to TOI. Excerpts.
How is it to start training after 100 days?
It was really good to start training after so many days. It was not tough as I was already doing something at home. It was not like everything was new as such. But to fine tune the strokes it may take a few weeks.
How is your training schedule given the precautions you need to take in these times?
I am training separately for about one-and-half hours. I was doing alone with the coaches. I requested an exclusive training session because of the Covid-19 situation. I thought it would be better to take all the necessary precautions and avoid crowds at the training session. But this is only a temporary phenomenon. I practice at the Gopichand Academy and do fitness at the Suchitra Academy.
What are your plans in the next few weeks?
If everything goes on well, the next tournament I will be playing would be the Thomas and Uber Cup in October. Maybe in a few weeks we will know about the rules and regulations, and the measures we need to take. Obviously, the virus situation is not going to change so much. I hope things will get better as the Thomas Uber Cup is two months away.
Will you be playing all the scheduled tournaments this year?
First, we will start with Thomas and Uber Cup in Denmark. Then it would be the Denmark Open followed by French Open. But as of now I don’t know how my schedule takes shape.
When the tournaments start, do you think you can get back to your original form?
Yeah, I will. I am confident because I didn’t stop training at home. My trainer is providing the schedule. Had I stopped everything it could have been difficult.
What did you do in the last three-and-half months?
Though missing badminton was difficult, I still enjoyed the break. I got to play with my nephew Aryan. I did some nine paintings. About seven were on display at the Suchitra Academy. I am not an expert but I used to do a little bit of painting during my school.
Did you learn any other skills?
Yeah, I tried my hand in the kitchen. I learnt baking some stuff, made cookies, custard etc. With the help of my mother I even cooked my favourite dish ‘chicken biryani’. On the whole I enjoyed the break. In fact, this is my first long break in several years. I may not get any more breaks like this once the season starts.