P.V. Sindhu Criticises Asian Games Schedule After Quarter-Final Exit

Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail

NAGOYA: Indian badminton star P.V. Sindhu has raised concerns over the demanding schedule at the Asian Games, saying that playing three matches within 18 hours affected her physically.

The two-time Olympic medallist was eliminated from the women’s singles event after losing a closely fought quarter-final against China’s Chen Yufei on Sunday.

Sindhu, a former world champion, had already played her second- and third-round matches on Saturday before returning to the court the following day for her quarter-final.

The 31-year-old Indian pushed Chen in a three-game battle but eventually lost 11-21, 21-18, 21-10.

After the defeat, Sindhu shared her thoughts on social media, saying the packed schedule had taken a physical toll.

She also reflected on the quarter-final, particularly the crucial points that could have changed the outcome of the match.

“Three matches in 18 hours. Back at 3:00 am, out again at 8:30 am. It took a toll,” Sindhu said in her post.

Sindhu won Olympic silver at the 2016 Rio Games and bronze at Tokyo 2020, making her one of India’s most successful badminton players.

Her comments come after fellow Indian player H.S. Prannoy also criticised the badminton schedule at the Asian Games.

Prannoy described the arrangements as difficult for players and questioned the decision to schedule two singles matches in a single day.

The concerns have brought renewed attention to player recovery and scheduling during the badminton competition at the Games in Nagoya.